Western University Administrator Supports Student Walkout Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

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Western University students’ walkout against gender-based sexual violence has won support from Western University president and faculty.

The walkout is scheduled to take place at 12 noon on Friday at US Hill at Western. The event follows reports on social media that female students living in housing on campus were drugged and some were sexually assaulted over the weekend.

London Police held a press conference on Tuesday, in which Chief Steve Williams confirmed that he had opened an investigation into reports circulating on social media that a number of Medway-Sydenham Hall students were drugged and sexually assaulted over the weekend. Some reports suggest that 30 or more students may have been victimized.

Police also confirmed that they were investigating three other incidents of sexual assault involving four female victims, which occurred the previous week.

Reports of sexual assault in the first week of school sparked outrage among students and the community, leading several students to hold an event on Friday to take a stand against gender-based violence.

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Read more: Western University students plan walkout on Friday amid allegations of sexual assault

We see this as a positive step forward in the public affirmation of a collective commitment to end sexual gender-based violence. This is an opportunity to work together on Western culture and make sure everyone feels safe on campus, Western President Alan Shepard said.

“We fully support members of the campus community who wish to participate in the Friday event.

We encourage our members who are not teaching tomorrow afternoon to join this march for student safety, and to consider accommodation for students leaving the classroom or lab to join the #westernu https event : //t.co/1vXRcxyWv3

– UWO Faculty Association (@ uwofa1) September 16, 2021

The event also received support from the University of Western Ontario Faculty Association (UWOFA), which represents faculty members, university librarians and archivists of the university.

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We encourage our members who are not teaching tomorrow afternoon to join this march for student safety, and to consider accommodation for students who leave the classroom or lab to join the event, said Thursday the association on Twitter.

Read more: Western University, London Police urge survivors to come forward amid reports on social media of student and drug abuse

The group of students planning the walkout has issued several calls to action, including asking the school to immediately prepare and implement coherent and mandatory training modules on education in sexual and violence based violence. on gender.

Since launching an investigation into the incidents over the weekend, police said no one had made a formal complaint about the allegations online.

Western University is also working with Anova to provide walk-in counseling and peer support to students following reports of sexual assault.

Anova is an organization that works to combat gender-based violence, providing shelter to victims and support in cases of sexual assault.

Wednesday through Friday this week, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Westerns Sydenham Hall, Anova will offer one-on-one counseling, peer support and calming activities.

Anyone who has experienced sexual or gender-based violence can contact Anovas Crisis Line 24/7 at 519-642-3000, LAWC 519-432-2204 or the Abuse Women Helpline at 519-642-3000.

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with files from The Canadian Press

© 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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