Jess Gould / XFM News
Students gathered on Merlin Hill at Fanshawe to stand together against gender-based threats of sexual violence on campus.
In response to recent events of sexual violence allegations at Western University and Fanshawe College, the Fanshawe Student Union in 48-hours came together with students to host a Take Back Our Campus walk.
As people received blue shirts with ‘Take Back Our Campus’ filled the grass of Merlin Hill, markers were handed out to create signs for the march that followed through the school ground.
Leah Marshall is the Sexual Violence Prevention Advisor for Fanshawe students, standing in support for the students who have experienced sexual violence.
“The main focus is to come together as a community, and for survivors to know that there are supports available on campus as well as to help stand together as a community to help stand together against sexual violence.”
Marshall notes there are resources for students who are looking for support with sexual assault.
“Part of our programming is that we run one to three events every month, whether it be supportive events for survivors becasuse we know many students come to college and they’ve already experienced sexual violence, not only just expereince it on campus. We definitely want to hear from students about what more we can do to support them.”
Jess Gould / XFM News
With many first-year students calling Fanshawe campus their home with living on residence, freshman student Jaidyn D’entremont raises awareness on feeling afraid of what they should call home.
“I’m here to protest everything that’s been going on and to take action towards making our college campus a safe place for everybody. We are new students, it’s already scary enough to leave home, we should not feel scared on top of that to walk around our new home at night just because we don’t know something’s going to happen at night, or we’re scared to eat here, when that’s never something that we would have to deal with otherwise.”
The stream of student body marching through campus was a vision of hope for victims of sexual violence as those came together to raise their voice against fear of being alone and in danger at school.
Jess Gould / XFM News
Fanshawe student Greyson Toombs took part in the march to show his support for women victims against gender-based violence.
“I feel like there is not enough credibility to how hard it is to survive as someone as a victim of sexual assault. I am hoping that if there are any more threats, they’re shut down immediately and those people get expelled just because there should be no tolerance for that in our society, in our schools, and people should feel safe coming here. People should not have to avoid going out of their dorms, or avoid going out at night.”
Jess Gould / XFM News
For students seeking support concerning sexual violence, they are encouraged to reach out to Leah Marshall at LKMarshall@fanshawec.ca to be heard and assisted with next steps in recovery.
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