Sexual violence concerns persist as efforts to keep Western Students safe continue
It has been over a month since social media posts claimed about 30 women were drugged and sexually assaulted during orientation week at Western University in London, Ont.
The allegations and subsequent concerns that were raised sparked promises for action against sexual and gender-based violence but safety remains a constant concern for many on campus.
"It's so sad to say that I can reflect on a moment in the last 48 hours of a situation that happened like that," says Tyra Cadogan, a second year Social Justice and Peace Studies student who attends both Western and King’s University College. "Gathering with some friends from university there was already a situation where multiple women felt unsafe."
A rally Tuesday outside Western’s University Community Centre launched three days of events organized by the Western University Students' Council.
"Enough is enough and it is time for change,” Students’ Council president Zamir Fakirani told the gathering.
Fakirani says he is encouraged by news that university administration has welcomed 21 recommendations from the students' council but says changes need to be made quickly, including expanding mandatory training beyond students entering residences.
"There should be no member of our campus community who doesn't have gender-based violence prevention and response training."
The “O” week allegations prompted a walkout and march on Sept. 17 that attracted thousands. Tuesday’s gathering was small but those on hand say it's important to continue the dialogue.
Bronwyn Lacey is a third-year student at Brescia University College majoring in Psychology with a minor in Gender Studies. She says even those passing by the event were receiving an important message, "People know there's supports and stuff like that. That's very powerful in itself.”
AnnaLise Trudell is with Anova, an agency working to end gender-based violence and give support to victims.
"We're never going to get there by preaching to the converted, preaching to those who already buy into the messages.” Trudell said. “Expanding the dialogue isn't always easy but it's imperative. We need to find a way into the cultures and subgroups of folks who are perpetrating these acts."
London police say they interviewed approximately 600 students with regards to the “O” week social media posts but could not substantiate those reports. They say the investigation is continuing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
NEW Iconic Canadian song turns 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Prince Harry, Meghan arrive in Nigeria to champion the Invictus Games and meet with wounded soldiers
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, arrived in Nigeria on Friday to champion the Invictus Games, which he founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans, among them Nigerian soldiers fighting a 14-year war against Islamic extremists.
Countries struggle to draft 'pandemic treaty' to avoid mistakes made during COVID
After the coronavirus pandemic triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions, leaders at the World Health Organization and worldwide vowed to do better in the future. Years later, countries are still struggling to come up with an agreed-upon plan for how the world might respond to the next global outbreak.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Storm-battered U.S. South is again under threat. A boy swept into a drain fights for his life
Dangerous storms crashed over parts of the U.S. South on Thursday even as the region cleaned up from earlier severe weather that spawned tornadoes, killed at least three people, and gravely injured a boy who was swept into a storm drain as he played in a flooded street.