'We let our students and families down': Western unveils sexual violence plan on eve of walk out
Fed up with sexual violence on and around Western University’s London, Ont. campus, students will push for change on Friday.
Students will stage a walk out before engaging in a march around campus to express support for survivors of sexual violence.
“We now have a channel to express how we feel regarding the incidents that happened this past weekend,” explains co-organizer Emily Poirier. “A lot of people hope this will bring about tangible change.”
London police are investigating allegations of up to 30 drug-related sexual assaults in a residence last weekend.
Unrelated, police have confirmed they were already investigating three complaints of sexual violence since the start of the semester.
“People are still very much afraid and on edge,” adds Poirier.
Less than a day before the walk out, Western administration unveiled a new Action Plan on Sexual Violence, including:
- all 5,300 students living in residences will be required to take in-person training on sexual violence, consent, and personal safety starting September 20.
- hiring up to 100 students to act as safety ambassadors in residences
- hiring four new special constables to enhance patrols until 3am.
- create a Task Force to address campus culture.
“We let our students and families down,” admits western President Alan Shepard.
Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges and Universities has also announced regulatory amendments for post secondary institutions in the province that update their sexual violence policies to include:
- Victims reporting in good faith will no longer risk punishment for violating alcohol/drug policies at the time the sexual violence occurred.
- Students reporting sexual violence will no longer be asked irrelevant questions involving their sexual history or sexual expression.
“These were recommendations that came forward to the government through ongoing consultations we’ve been having with the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance,” explains Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop.
Poirier hopes that the walk out’s impact extends beyond Western’s campus.
“Make this not just a Western University change, but a change for all universities in Ontario, and hopefully it spreads to other places in Canada and North America.”
The walk out begins at noon with a gathering on University College hill.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.