SACHA backs students’ calls for McMaster to take action on sexual assault
The Sexual Assault Centre for Hamilton and Area (SACHA) is adding its voice to students' calls for McMaster University to take allegations of sexual assault more seriously.
We join in solidarity with the students of McMaster as they fight for accountability, safety, and support," read a message shared by SACHA on social media last week. We believe survivors always and send our love to the survivors and students at McMaster doing such crucial, important work."
The statement is referring to an open letter signed by more than 100 graduate students in McMaster's Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour (PNB). The letter criticizes McMaster's handling of sexual assault allegations that have plagued the department for more than a year, calling the university's response dismissive of the gravity and seriousness of the issue."
McMaster has confirmed it received the letter and will address the concerns that (the students) have raised."
In response to the PNB sexual assault allegations, which first surfaced in early 2020, the university launched a climate review into the department. The review determined systemic and cultural issues created a degree of complacency that has let inappropriate behaviours go unchecked." The university also investigated seven people connected to the department for allegations they violated the universities sexual violence policy and/or discrimination and harassment policy.
All investigations are now complete, McMaster confirmed last week. The university will only say one resulted in a finding of a violation of the university's sexual violence policy. The Spectator has confirmed the violation involves the investigation into Scott Watter, a PNB professor who was charged with sexual assault and sexual assault causing bodily harm in June 2020. At the time of his arrest, his lawyer said Watter would be defending the matter fully and vigorously." His case goes to trial in August.
The open letter says the university hasn't done enough.
As PNB students, we feel extremely disappointed by McMaster's response in regard to ensuring student safety," reads the letter, signed by 139 people at McMaster and at other universities, as of Wednesday.
The letter calls on the university to share more information about the results of the investigations into sexual assault allegations, to fire Watter and to commit to effective change in eliminating sexual harassment and assault in the PNB department and the university at large."
McMaster is recommending proceeding with Watter's removal," according to an investigation decision letter obtained by The Spectator. The letter shows the university determined, on a balance of probabilities, that in the case of a female complainant, Watter abused his position of trust, power, and authority" and engaged in behaviour that amounts to sexual harassment." It found insufficient reliable evidence" to substantiate allegations of sexual assault made by the complainant - a graduate student who is also the complainant in the criminal matter.
The students' open letter specifically addressed problematic" recommendations from the PNB climate review - including providing sexual harassment training to incoming graduate students, pushing for better boundaries between students and professors to mitigate sexual harassment and restricting alcohol at events. These recommendations imply that external factors such as alcohol, rather than the perpetrator, are responsible for the outcomes, and they divert attention and responsibility away from the perpetrator's actions," the students wrote.
The letter also spoke to students' fears of speaking out, citing a power differential" between students and the university, which places us in a vulnerable position and we fear potential academic, career, and social consequences."
Miranda Jurilj, public education co-ordinator with SACHA, told The Spectator in an interview that the students' letter spoke to sentiments we hear from survivors of sexual violence every day."
That includes fear of speaking out because of power imbalances, safety and needs not being prioritized, and feelings of being at fault for harm to which they've been subjected.
Jurilj called on McMaster to listen to students - and survivors, specifically - and take action that is survivor-centric.
Survivors are really the expert in these experiences and survivors deserve to have a community behind them that lets them feel safe," Jurilj said. People on campus right now are saying they don't feel safe in their department and on the campus."
She asked Hamilton community members to show their support by signing the letter. She also encouraged people to check in with friends who have been affected by sexual violence, especially in light of media reports shining a light on the issue.
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