'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
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it's too late
Christine Roess is a retired consultant. Ezra Bozeman has spent the last 49 years in prison, serving a life sentence for a murder he says he didn’t commit. Against the odds, the two fell in love.