London, Ont. police investigating sexual assault allegations at Western University
The London Police Service says an investigation is underway after allegations of multiple sexual assaults at a Western University residence began circulating on social media over the weekend.
Rumours have been circulating on social media about unconfirmed reports of up to 30 female students were allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted.
A letter was sent to residents at Medway-Sydenham Hall on Saturday from student housing officials saying the school was following up on the reports.
Now, London police say they are aware of the allegations, but have not yet received any reports from the weekend involving incidents at the residence.
But the statement continued, "Given the seriousness of the allegations raised in relation to incidents occurring at Medway-Sydenham Hall, the London Police Service has opened an investigation and we will work collaboratively with Western University to identify and support any victims and ensure a thorough investigation is conducted."
Police officials say they received two reports alleging sexual assaults at other locations on campus last week. Both remain under investigation, and police say that will include examining any potential links to unreported incidents.
Chris Alleyne, Western University's associate vice-president of Housing and Ancillary Services, released a statement Monday saying they are working to get additional information on the alleged sexual assaults.
"We are very troubled by the incidents reported over social media this past weekend. We are working hard to clarify and confirm these reports. So far, we have received very little information related to these reports, and we’re asking anyone with more details to come forward to Western or London Police Services."
He added that Western has received four formal allegations of sexual violence in the past week, but that the cases do not appear to be connected.
In those cases Alleyne says Western immediately took strong action when complaints were filed, including facilitating arrest and removing students who remain under investigation.
"I can’t emphasize enough that sexual violence will never be tolerated at Western. We will continue to take action on every disclosure and complaint."
The school has increased guest registration, security and counselling, and there are a number of resources available for any student in need of support due to sexual violence.
Students on edge
The officially reported assaults, rumours of potentially dozens more, and the slow response has students concerned.
First-year political science student Alexa Decassan lives in the Medway residence and says there is a lot of fear.
"It's very disturbing that this is my first year here, it hasn't even been a week and this is already happening. And what I've been hearing is Western's been saying that they're going to up their security. To my extent I haven't really seen much of that, and it is very uncomfortable, like sleeping. Like a lot of the girls on my floor were quite scared, to be honest."
And other students are also unsatisfied with the university's response to the allegations.
Daniel Oyefugea is a first-year student at Western who lives in the Sydenham residence and says women are getting mixed messages about coming forward.
"This is part of the problem. First it was we don't have enough women coming forward, and then when they're coming forward, it doesn't happen...you're going to have future women who don't want to come out because of things like this."
Western Associate Law Professor Jacob Shelley says bringing so many people together during the pandemic facilitated a toxic environment.
"This is kind of a predictable storm and we've seen this happening across campuses in this country getting together having giant parties. Mix together that kind of energy, with alcohol, drugs, unfortunately the reality is bad things may happen and for far too long we don't immediately react or react strongly enough to gender-based violence."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | B.C. reveals plan for decriminalization of small amounts of drugs for personal use
British Columbia is taking a major step forward in its fight against the province’s deadly overdose crisis by decriminalizing the possession of a small amount of certain illicit drugs for personal use.

New alcohol recommendations could speed up changing drinking habits: businesses
Advocates and business owners in the beverage industry say new guidance for drinking alcohol could speed up changing consumer drinking habits as younger generations drink less and non-alcoholic beverages become more popular.
Adding milk to coffee may be anti-inflammatory: Danish study
Adding some milk to your morning coffee may boost the body's anti-inflammatory response, new research out of Denmark shows.
Girl, 6, dead after accident at ski resort north of Montreal on Sunday
A six-year-old girl died in hospital Sunday night after being involved in an incident at the Val-Saint-Côme ski resort in Lanaudiere. Quebec police are investigating, though details into the event are not yet known. Officers indicated that it involved a T-bar lift, but they were not able to say more.
WHO: COVID-19 still an emergency but nearing 'inflection' point
The coronavirus remains a global health emergency, the World Health Organization chief said Monday, after a key advisory panel found the pandemic may be nearing an 'inflection point' where higher levels of immunity can lower virus-related deaths.
Quebec minister calls on new anti-Islamophobia representative to step down over Bill 21 comments
Quebec's minister responsible for secularism, Jean-Francois Roberge, has called on Canada’s new special anti-Islamophobia advisor Amira Elghawaby to apologize and step down.
Health, economy, crime top issues of concern as House of Commons resumes
Members of Parliament return to Ottawa to resume sitting for the first time in 2023 on Monday, with the state of Canada's health-care system, the health of the Canadian economy, and rates of violent crime in this country all top of mind.
Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull dies at 84
Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull has died at the age of 84. He played for the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks and Hartford Whalers as well as the World Hockey Association's Winnipeg Jets over a 23-year pro career.
Are you a Ukrainian who recently moved to Canada? We want to hear from you
With Russia's invasion of Ukraine displacing millions of people, many refugees have begun to lay their roots in Canada. If you or someone you know has fled the war-torn country and settled in Canada, we want to hear from you.