'Not a great look': Sign on student house during Homecoming prompts neighbour complaints
WARNING: This article contains language that may be considered graphic in nature
The sign, a bed sheet with purple paint referencing female genitalia, hung outside a window on the front of a house on Lexington Avenue in London, Ont. on Saturday afternoon — the day of Western University's Homecoming festivities.
The signage upset neighbours of the quiet street near Kinsman Arena.
“I think it's a bad reflection on Western for the students and stuff, but I don't know really. It's pretty typical of that time of year,” said Tim Forrest, a resident on the street.
While second year student Grayson Velan did not see the sign, as he was on campus that day, he reacted to a picture of it that has since gone viral online.
“Yeah, that's a weird thing to have on your house. I don't know. Yeah, not my thing. But I don't know, whatever floats their boat, I guess,” he said.
An offensive sign hung from a student home in London, Ont. over Homecoming weekend in September 2022 upset neighbours of the quiet street. (Source: Facebook)
Neighbours CTV News London spoke to on Tuesday say the sign was taken down shortly after it was put up after complaints were made.
Annalise Trudell, the manager of education, training and research at Anova said the word in itself is not harmful.
“Using sexual language like the word ‘pussy’ is not inherently harmful, but it's the larger context where I can start to see the impact of this,” she said. “So thinking about you know, how survivors receive those messages about bleeding that can feel really violent and harmful.”
Trudell also manages the sexual violence training at Western University, and believes there has been a shift from previous years.
“We know that culture change takes time, takes multiple intervention points, and that those are in place so I'm hopeful. And let's say you know, three years from now when the full student body's been through this over time, we might see a shift, right in this moment, we can't expect a miracle,” she said.
CTV News London attempted to speak to the residents at the home, but was unsuccessful.
In a statement to CTV News London late Tuesday afternoon, the university said in a statement, "Western became aware of this sign on Monday and we are working to determine if the residents of this house are students of the university."
Homecoming weekend by the numbers
On Tuesday, the London Police Service (LPS) issued a press release illustrating the police response to Homecoming festivities over the weekend.
According to police, an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 people were on Broughdale Avenue and surrounding streets at the height of the “unsanctioned” event, which forced the closure of several roads, including Richmond Street.
Enforcement numbers by London police include:
- 22 Liquor Licence Control Act charges
- 34 administrative monetary penalties (AMPs)
- 162 provincial warnings
- 16 by-law warnings
- Three (3) Criminal Code charges – two outstanding warrants, one assault police
Police and other emergency services are on standby as Western University students celebrate Homecoming weekend in London, Ont. on September 24, 2022. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
In a statement, LPS Chief Steve Williams said most of the people attending the events during the daytime were “cooperative” with police, fire and paramedic services, but the evening hours “saw behaviour from some individuals that was completely unacceptable.”
Some of the acts included throwing beer cans at others , including LPS officers, damaging property, and jumping off hydro poles and rooftops, according to the release.
In addition to London police, officers from both the Hamilton Police Service and York Regional Service also assisted during Homecoming weekend. Williams said the final cost of policing Homecoming events will not be known for some time, but said, “we know from past years it will be substantial.”
“It is very fortunate that we did not see a more serious outcome to this event, and I credit the professionalism and expertise of our officers, including those from our out-of-town partner agencies, for stopping this dangerous behaviour before it turned tragic,” said Williams.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
The UN warns Sudan's warring parties that Darfur risks starvation and death if aid isn't allowed in
The United Nations food agency warned Sudan's warring parties Friday that there is a serious risk of widespread starvation and death in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan if they don't allow humanitarian aid into the vast western region.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.