How to deal with an awkward situation with a roommate?

[woollysheep]

This is embarrassing and awkward. But it is her fault, not yours. So what if she doesn't like you? You would be crazy to like some one like her, and presumably you will not choose to share with her next year. As far as what happened on Facebook. I would talk to her about it. Just calmly say what her friends did was inexcusable - and it was her fault. It would be good if she apologized for her behaviour on Facebook (actually put an apology on Facebook, admitting that she was sneaking around in your private things and then incited her friends to cyber-bully you). Leave it at that. Insist you don't want to discuss it, you won't discuss it (say this very, very calmly), and just say - you know what you should do, it is up to you whether you want to do it or not. End of story!

Does she realise that in the UK she could be found guilty of committing a crime? Possibly even incurring a jail sentence?

I rather suspect she will turn nasty again, sooner or later. If that does happen, do try to find out if there is any possibility of changing rooms. Leave it for now, but at the first sign of more trouble, write a written complain against her to the college management. Make it a calm and factual complaint. Make it clear you understand there is probably not much they can do, but you hope they would not expect anyone else to share with her without warning them what she is like. Apart from anything else, she sounds like a nasty bully. People like her often report their victim for doing what they are doing. So when you try to explain that actually she is the one causing trouble, it just looks like you are making excuses. Just be careful, but don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. Don't trust her.