Reports of sexual violence, harassment at Waterdown high school under investigation
Hamilton police are investigating multiple reports of sexual violence and sexual harassment at a local public secondary school.
Police say the school is Waterdown District High School and the suspect is not in a position of authority at the school."
Multiple alleged survivors have come forward. Police believe there may be more.
We want all survivors of sexual violence to know that we believe them and we will respect their choice in when they report an incident, where and how," said police spokesperson Jackie Penman.
The Spectator has reached out the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board asking for more information.
The latest report comes just weeks after police confirmed they were investigating social media reports of sexual violence and sexual harassment involving a teacher at a Catholic high school. Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board chair Pat Daly said the board was made aware of a social media post raising serious allegations" against a teacher at Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School. He confirmed the teacher was not currently teaching at the school.
Last week, police confirmed a number of individuals" have come forward to police regarding the teacher. That investigation is ongoing.
There is no guaranteed way to prevent sexual assault," police said in a release. Sharing the details of these assaults is intended to provide the community information, and people are encouraged to trust their instincts."
Hamilton Police Service encourages survivors of sexual violence to report crimes by contacting the sexual assault unit non-emergency line at 905-540-5553, or www.hamiltonpolice.on.ca to file an online report.
To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamiIton.com
More to come ...
Resources for survivors of sexual violence:
SACHA (Sexual Assault Centre, Hamilton and Area): 24-hour support line 905-525-4162; www.sacha.ca.
SAVIS (Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services of Halton): 905-875-1555.
Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre at Hamilton Health Sciences: 905-521-2100 ext. 73557.
McMaster University's Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office: svpro@mcmaster.ca; svpro.mcmaster.ca.
McMaster's student-run Women and Gender Equity Network (WGEN): wgen@msu.mcmaster.ca; msumcmaster.ca/service/wgen.
Katrina Clarke is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: katrinaclarke@thespec.com