Outrage as bearded Oxford University lecturer wears huge fake breasts

Outrage has erupted over an Oxford University professor with giant fake breasts, with graduates concerned his behaviour “violates women’s dignity”. Matt Rattley, a biochemistry lecturer at St Hilda’s College, also wears women’s clothes and makeup. He has been the subject of two formal letters of complaint, while some claim that the situation amounts to sexual harassment against female students.

It is reported that three St Hilda’s College graduates have now issued complaints over Mr Rattley’s behaviour. The lecturer’s appearance has also attracted online controversy and attention.

The complaining graduates, including a leading clinical psychologist, have written to the college around concerns Mr Rattley’s behaviour “violates women’s dignity”. They added that it would be “reasonable for them to feel that it creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating and offensive environment”.

Other complaints have come from the parent of a current undergraduate, as well as some who alleged sexual harassment. As reported by the Daily Mail, one anonymous student said they “didn’t know where to look” when Mr Rattley was giving a presentation.

They said: “I was due to attend a series of staff training sessions at Oxford with Mr Rattley. I ended up missing most of them because I found being around him so distressing.

“At the first session, he was giving a presentation. I was in the front row, so those big prosthetic boobs felt like they were in my face. I didn’t know where to look.

“The worst part was that other people were behaving as though he was dressed normally. You’re sitting there thinking what you’re seeing is hideous and disrespectful, while everyone around you is pretending it’s OK. It makes you doubt your sanity.”

They also claimed that Mr Rattley once sat with “his legs apart” and “underwear visible” during the summer heatwave. The student added that “many of the female staff fawn over him” as he is a very “tall, imposing man”.

“It does feel like sexual harassment,” they continued. “You feel as though you’re being forced to participate in someone’s sexual fetish without being given a choice.”

Meanwhile, an Oxford Lecturer wanred that students fear speaking out about Mr Rattley, who has frequently posted pictures of himself wearing low cut tops, lipstick, and nail varnish on social media. A former student admitted the case has “really troubled” them and “never felt like an option to be open and public about it because any concerns would inevitably be received as bigotry”.

According to a leading employment barrister, St Hilda’s College has put itself as risk of legal action. Naomi Cunningham, from Outer Temple Chambers, said the college is willing to “prioritise male sexual entitlement over staff and student wellbeing”.

She added: “The fact that no-one has yet complained is testament to what a toxic environment has been created for women (in particular) who stand up to this kind of misbehavior.”

Speaking on behalf of both the university and the college, an Oxford spokesman said: “The University of Oxford is committed to being an inclusive and welcoming place where all members of our community feel respected, valued and able to be themselves. We expect everyone involved in teaching to maintain appropriate professional standards and to treat students with respect.

“We do not comment on individual personnel matters. Students who have concerns about their teaching arrangements can raise them through established University or college procedures, as appropriate.”