Victoria Silman | News Editor
Featured Image: With incidents happening around campus, students feel concerned with being on campus at night. | Fatema Ali
This academic year has seen fewer security bulletins despite major sexual assault cases making headlines all over the internet. In light of this, students have expressed fears of what is happening on and near campus.
In December, a 20-year-old man faced 13 charges relating to a series of sexual assaults near campus. The assaults happened in a two-month span from October to December in and around The Village. In addition to this, a man was arrested on February 28 in relation to three sexual assaults spanning from last August to February 24, all within The Village. The 21-year-old suspect is facing several charges, including two counts of sexual assault, and one count of assault with a weapon. His youngest victim was 14.
Security bulletins have only been posted four times concerning these two incidents—December 21 and 22 for the first suspect, and again February 28 and March 4 for the second suspect.
As these incidents occurred near campus, woman are feeling heightened concern for their safety in the area.
“For the most part, I do feel safe,” Anna Voskuil, a fourth-year communications student says. “However, after hearing about these sexual assaults on campus, I’ve become more hesitant to walk anywhere alone at night. Even just a short walk to the bus stop, I’m always on high alert,” she adds.
Echoing her sentiments, a student who wishes to remain anonymous says: “I actually don’t feel safe on campus at night past 10 p.m. After hearing about the cases near campus, it worries me, which is why I always have a friend on the phone while I’m walking. Even if they are not on the phone with me, I have them on speed dial. I’ll call them as soon as I feel unsafe.”
Other incidents have also occurred on campus that haven’t warranted security bulletins. Olivia Quenneville, a fourth-year professional writing and music student, refers specifically to an incident where a non-York member ransacked a music room in Accolade East on February 7.
“I don’t see a lot of security on campus, and it’s also a very big campus—because of the subway a lot of people have access to the campus, and there have been instances where people have come into the building and ransacked classrooms. I think because of that I feel less safe,” she says.
The security bulletins which have been posted provide various support lines on campus for students to use. In the bulletins, they state: “We encourage anyone who needs support to utilize the university’s services.”
Furthermore: “The Student Counselling & Development office offers personal counselling services to all York students. Visit them in Room N110, Bennett Centre for Student Services or call 416-736-5297. Support is also available through the Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education at 301 York Lanes, or via phone at 416-736-5211.”
