Female attacked in Founders stairwell

York University and Toronto Police are trying to contain the fallout of another sexual assault on campus.

Alex Bilyk, director of media relations at York University, confirmed that a woman was sexually assaulted in the stairwell of Founders College on Jan. 11 between approximately 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

No details have emerged concerning the assailant. The woman informed Toronto Police Services of the incident on Jan. 15.

“I know the officers are up in that area now, still investigating it. So, I think it would be improper for anyone here to comment on it,” stated an officer with the Toronto Police Sex Crimes Unit on Jan. 15.

“Police are investigating it at this time,” added Bilyk.
“All the [security] tapes from around the area have been secured.”

He added that the university’s “first obligation is to inform the community.”

York media relations issued a media release on Jan. 15 entitled ‘Police investigate sexual assault at York.’

York Security also posted a campus alert in the evening of Jan. 15 with the same information.

This sexual assault marks the fifth reported case on campus since September, not all of which were related.

However, the York Centre for Women and Trans People regularly suggests that there are more sex assaults on campus that have gone unreported.

The Sexual Assault Survivors Support Line (SASSL) said they are concerned about this latest incident.

“SASSL is saddened and angered that once again members of the York community have become targets of violent acts,” said Shannon Cameron, publicity co-ordinator for SASSL.

“We’re particularly concerned that despite these assaults, and the assaults that have occurred earlier in the school year, York University is still delaying a campus wide safety audit.”

York University struck a panel in September that was responsible for holding frequent public campus safety meetings where members of the community would be able to voice their concerns. They have met at least once per month since then, including in November when they held an annual campus lighting audit.

Cameron also mentioned that SASSL wished to extend their support to any York community member “affected by or concerned about these issues.”

“Part of our mandate as SASSL is that we understand that the established police and security sometimes don’t provide the support that survivors need,” she said.

“Sometimes the process of going forward isn’t as sensitive to the survivors as it might need to be for them.”

York University has re-hired the pay-duty police officers that were hired in the wake of the Vanier sex assault.

Bilyk confirmed that the officers were re-hired for an “indefinite” amount of time.