Students at Western University are set to walk out of class Friday to protest what they call a “culture of misogyny” on campus after a series of sexual assault allegations surfaced in recent days.
Posted Sep 17, 2021, 07:22AM EDT
Students at Western University are set to walk out of class Friday to protest what they call a “culture of misogyny” on campus after a series of sexual assault allegations surfaced in recent days.
The students say they will also be speaking out about the London, Ont., school’s handling of those allegations.
Western and London police have said four women have come forward with formal complaints about being sexually assaulted on campus recently.
Police are also investigating allegations made on social media of mass drugging and sexual assaults at the Medway-Sydenham Hall residence on campus during orientation week.
The force has said no one has come forward with a formal complaint on those online allegations.
Western announced yesterday that it will require students in residence to take training sessions on sexual violence and consent as it works to address what it describes as a problematic campus culture.
The measure is part of a new action plan that will also see the university hire 100 new “safety ambassadors” — a mix of upper-year undergraduates and graduate students who will work overnight in residences.
The school also plans to create a task force that will take “a comprehensive look” at student safety.
Today’s event is expected to see students walk out of their classes at noon.
