Thousands rally at Western University to protest sexual violence
Hundreds of Western University students walked out of class Friday as thousands marched on campus to protest sexual violence on and around the campus.
Students, dressed in teal, chanted, "Stop this violence. No more silence," as they marched from Medway-Sydenham Hall and other residences to join the rally.
Some signs in the crowd read "Protect us, not your reputation," "Denial is not a defense," "I believe you, I stand by survivors" and "Will I be next?"
“The incidents of the past week, and you being here today, tell us that you do not feel safe," said Terry McQuad, Director of Wellness and Well Being at Western University. "The university has updated its gender-based violence policy, May 2020, to better reflect and make transparent the process for getting support and filing a complaint.”
Campus police told CTV News, they estimated the gathering of staff and students to be around 8,000 people.
Students were showing their support for survivors of sexual violence and also pushing for change in the way the school handles reports of sexual assault.
Teigan Elliott, who says she witnessed the allegged incidents the night of Sept. 10 outside residence, tearfully spoke at the rally.
“Alan Shepard [Western University President], do you know what it’s like to be unsafe? Not just feel unsafe, but be unsafe where you live? do you know what it’s like to walk past the site of the most traumatic experience of your life every day just to get to class? If your answer is no to either one of those questions, then I don’t want to hear another word from you about safety.”
The walkout comes after an investigation was launched into allegations of up to 30 drug-related sexual assaults at the Medway-Sydenham Hall residence on campus during orientation week.According to London police there have been no formal reports made in regards to the allegations.
However, police have confirmed they were already investigating three reports of sexual violence since the start of the semester; but those reports are not related to the residence allegations.
Co-organizers of the rally call Western's announcement of an action plan on Thursday a first step, but say more needs to be done.
In unveiling the new Action Plan on Sexual Violence, Western President Alan Shepard said: “We let our students and families down.”
Among the new measures is a requirement to have all students living in residence take in-person training on sexual violence, consent and personal safety.
Details on the new Action Plan can be found here.
Western and all its affiliate colleges have spoken in support of the walkout, and encouraged students and faculty to attend.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.