Students cautious following reports of sexual assault at university campus

Some students say they still feel unsafe, even though police have arrested a suspect related to several recent sexual assault reports that took place at the University of Windsor last month.

According to campus police, several women reported being followed to their vehicles at night and one said she was grabbed from behind and touched in a sexual manner. On Oct. 28 the suspect was arrested by Windsor police.

Paige Paquette, 19, of Sarnia, is a second-year student at the University of Windsor in the social work program and is second-year representative for the Social Work Students Association. She said she doesn’t feel comfortable going to her evening classes.

“I haven’t been to my two evening classes since this incident started in early October,” said Paquette. “I definitely feel like I’m missing out on important information but I just don’t feel safe going to campus at night and I can see the effect it’s having on my grades.”

The University of Windsor has re-started their student-run and student-staffed walksafe program. Open Monday to Friday from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., students and faculty are able to request a walk to their car, classes, or home for any reason. Campus police are also increasing the security on campus by patrolling campus grounds.

“I don’t feel like the school did enough,” said Paquette. “I still don’t feel comfortable on campus and I don’t think the school did a good job making students aware of the resources they offer.”

Tyson VanLenthe, 19, of Waterloo, is a second-year human kinetics student on the Lancer football team and spends a lot of time at the Toldo Athletic Centre and the human kinetics building.

“Personally I don’t feel unsafe on campus because I’m a guy and the victims have been females,” said VanLenthe. “My girlfriend goes to school here and I know that her and her friends don’t feel safe on campus. I know my girlfriend gets anxious and I see how it’s affecting her mental health. That is definitely something that affects me too and makes me concerned for her.”

The University of Windsor has many counselors available by appointment. The campus is also equipped with 270 emergency call boxes across campus. Those directly call the campus community police at any time of the night as well as 27 emergency blue light poles that light up, and keep you in contact with the telecommunicator until police arrive.

For more information regarding the safety resources available to University students, you can download the SafeLancer app for free or go to https://www.uwindsor.ca/campuspolice/.