More than 100 McMaster students demand the university do more to address sexual assault allegations

More than 100 current and former graduate students in McMaster's Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour (PNB) are demanding in an open letter to the university that McMaster take stronger action in the face of sexual assault allegations plaguing the department.

They also call on the university to fire a professor charged with sexual assault.

Our hope in bringing these concerns forward is to not only ask for change within the department of PNB and McMaster University, but to also offer our support to the survivors, amplify their voices and destigmatize the culture of silence associated with sexual violence," reads the undated letter, obtained by The Spectator and signed by 115 students - mostly from McMaster but also some from other schools - as of Thursday.

In response to questions from The Spec, McMaster said it that it hasn't received the letter from graduate students" and will respond when it does. The Spectator sent a link to the online letter to McMaster communications staff.

Addressed to McMaster president David Farrar and McMaster's board of governors, the letter comes in the wake of allegations of sexual assault which have dogged the PNB department for a year and a half.

The Spectator has reported extensively on the allegations, including: the June 2020 arrest of PNB professor Scott Watter, who was charged with sexual assault and sexual assault causing bodily harm involving a student (the case goes to trial in August and Watter's lawyer says he will defend the matter fully and vigorously"); a January 2021 lawsuit filed by a former PNB student against the university that alleged McMaster was liable for sexual misconduct she said professors subjected her to (the university denied most of the allegations and the matter has since been dismissed on consent"); and the March 2021 arrest of former PNB staff member Christopher McAllister, who is charged with sexual assault (that case is before the courts).

Watter is the professor the students are asking the university to fire. They say doing so will communicate to students that our stories and experiences matter, and will be taken seriously."

Neither Watter nor his lawyer responded to a request for comment by deadline.

As PNB students, we feel extremely disappointed by McMaster's response in regard to ensuring student safety," the letter states.

In the summer of 2020, the university commissioned a systemic review" of the PNB department in response to reports of serious allegations of sexual violence. McMaster also separately investigated seven people connected to the PNB department, including McAllister and Watter. Some of the seven were the subject of multiple investigations, The Spectator has confirmed. In at least four cases - including the McAllister investigation - the university deemed there was no violation of any university policy. In recent weeks, McMaster has said Watter's investigation is ongoing, but it did not confirm Thursday if that is still the case.

The students accuse the university of being dismissive" of allegations.

Despite the numerous sexual assault allegations, which are likely under-reported, along with enough evidence that two staff members were formally charged, McMaster University continues to be dismissive of the gravity and seriousness of the issue by not holding perpetrators accountable - (for example), continuing to pay and employ those who have been criminally charged," the letter states.

We ask McMaster: What will it take for sexual assault allegations to be taken seriously?" the students write.

The letter calls on the university to do the following:

• Share the results of investigations with students and provide a clear, evidence-supported rationale for the results." The students say they need this information - rather than relying on rumours and hearsay" - so they can make informed decisions about how to keep ourselves safe in the workplace."

• Commit to eliminating sexual harassment and assault within PNB - and the university at large - by holding accountable and disciplining the perpetrators," working to prevent sexual assault and harassment, and ensuring effective protection and support of survivors."

• Respond to the allegations in a manner that matches" their severity. Speaking specifically to Watter's employment - the university put him on paid leave - the students say: We feel insulted and devalued as students that our tuition/tax-funding continues to be spent on the salary of someone charged with multiple violent and sexual crimes."

The letter states some sexual assault allegations involve other departments - not just PNB - but no further details are provided.

Katrina Clarke is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: katrinaclarke@thespec.com