Violence, fears about sexual assault mark grim start to Western University school year
CBC
Students, including those on their own for the first time, say they're worried about possible sexual violence on the Western University campus in London, Ont., after a number of reports to officials and on social media.
Those fears have been amplified by the death of a first-year student, Gabriel Neil, 18, following an assault just off campus on Saturday night, as well as out-of-control parties in student neighbourhoods.
"I'm a little nervous, and my parents are nervous and upset. It's a little scary," said first-year student Calista Coleman.
"There's all this stuff going on and then adjusting to being in a new place all by yourself, it's scary."
Western University is investigating reports of sexual violence reported over social media — mainly on the video sharing app TikTok — but has received little information, officials said.
They did say four unrelated reports of sexual violence were received in the last week.
First-year students are back living in residence, and second-year students took their classes last year online, creating a double cohort of young people adjusting to life away from home after a year of pandemic restrictions.