Sexual assault reports doubled in last year at Western University

Reports of sexual assault at Western University more than doubled this past year over the year before.

The school is attributing the increase, at least partly, to widespread media reports about allegations of gender-based violence in September.

In the 2021-22 school year, 164 cases of gender-based violence were reported to the survivor support case manager.During the previous school year, that number was 74.

Some of the reports were from survivors of historical incidents of sexual violence, such as childhood abuse or domestic violence. Officials said that's because some were triggered by widespread media coverage following September 2021 allegations of sexual assault in first-year dorms.

In September 2021, allegations of sexual assault arose on social media during the school's orientation week. No one was charged in those incidents. Police canvassed hundreds of students, and no official reports were made.

At the time, thousands of Western students walked out of class to protest misogyny and rape culture and support survivors of sexual violence on campus.

The most recent numbers were revealed in a report that went to the university's board of governors earlier this week. The report said the Survivor Support and Case Manager saw the highest number of referrals and intakes since 2018, when the role was created.

All survivors who disclosed sexual violence last year and provided contact information were provided with on-campus and off-campus resources, according to the school.

Western said it has been working to address sexual violence, including expanded education and training, and that it wants to foster a culture of safety, community and respect.