Western University Partners with Anova to Offer Counseling Amid Social Media Reports of Sexual Assault and Drug Addiction – London | The Canadian News

Western University is working with Anova to offer peer counseling and support for students as stories of sexual assault and gender-based violence emerge on campus.

Wednesday through Friday this week, from 4 pm to 7 pm at Western’s Sydenham Hall, Anova will have personalized counseling, peer support, and calming assets.

Anova is an organization that works to address gender-based violence, providing shelter to victims and support for sexual assault.

Over the weekend, multiple social media posts alleged that several students were drugged and / or sexually assaulted.

On Tuesday afternoon, London Police and the President of Western University held a joint press conference in which Chief Steve Williams said they are investigating social media reports that 30 or more students may have been drugged and / or assaulted at Western University’s Medway-Sydenham Hall on Saturday night. .

“What we do know is that people are very affected by what is happening and the conversation that is happening,” said Annalize Trudell, manager of education, training and research at Anova.

Anova works closely with Western in developing sexual and gender-based violence and prevention education supports.

The latest update from the police on Tuesday afternoon was that they were talking to students at the school, but none had filed a formal report of sexual assault or drug addiction.

“We don’t know any more than the wider community does, but it’s important to know that we may never know,” Trudell said. “We know that most survivors do not go through a formal reporting process for valid and legitimate reasons, so we may not know those details of how many and what kind of variety or iteration.”

Since the incident, Trudell said they have heard from survivors of all genders and people who support survivors.

According to a Council of Ontario Universities (COU) survey, between the 2017-2018 school year, 71% of Western University students reported being sexually harassed, while 32% or one in three reported being sexually harassed. sexually assaulted.

“We know that sexual violence is incredibly common on campus, especially during frosh week, so whether we end up learning details about this or not, we know this is a bigger trend: If you are not a survivor, you definitely know someone who is. “

Looking at what follows, Trudell said that while the full scope of what happened may not be known, it is important not to forget about the perpetrators when discussing sexual assault.

“Frankly, we all probably know some perpetrators when one in three people will be sexually assaulted,” Trudell said.

In addition to reports of sexual assault last weekend, Western officials also confirmed that four other formal complaints of sexual violence by students were filed during the first week of school.

London police confirmed that three incidents involving four female victims were under investigation and that one person had been arrested and released without charge.

On Friday noon, a strike was planned to support sexual assault survivors on campus and students are expected to gather at UC Hill.

Anyone who has experienced sexual or gender-based violence can contact the Anova Crisis Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 519-642-3000, LAWC 519-432-2204 or the Helpline for Women abused at 519-642-3000.