Students vocalize their safety concerns as danger arises on campus

By: Aliya Karimjee

Trigger/Content Warning: This story contains content on sexual assault

Marginalized communities at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) are taking their safety into their own hands with the Wen-Do women’s self-defence workshop following a string of sexual assaults at Kerr Hall East. 

TMU has since implemented “security enhancements” in the form of security guards and initiated a partnership with the Toronto Police Service to increase officer presence on campus. 

However, these measures don’t address systemic root causes of violence on campus while neglecting the worries of Black, Indigenous and racialized students who have historically and presently been targeted and surveilled by the police (and the scholastic) institution.

A toxic, heterosexist and oppressive has taught individuals from marginalized communities such as women and Trans folks that walking outside at night or going to clubs is dangerous, but why is it up to them to not be sexually assaulted for simply living their lives?

Alessandra Plancarte, an exchange student in the Creative Industries program and a Wen-Do participant, expresses how unfair it is that women have to learn self-defense strategies and fear going to the bathroom because of systemic violence and harm inflicted upon them. 

Interviews with women on campus unilaterally expressed concerns about safety in Kerr Hall and on campus at large. 

“It feels scary,” said a New Media student Ayah Noor, “there’s always stories we hear about; it’s not like it can never happen to us. It is happening around us.” 

Safety concerns prompted Wen-Do, a women’s self-defense class designed “for women by women,” to work to promote self-empowerment strategies among marginalized community members.

Leslie Allin, a Wen-Do instructor, coaches students, of all levels of knowledge and experience, to learn self-defense techniques in case of unfortunate circumstances where they must physically or verbally protect themselves.

“Nobody should be following others in washrooms. My understanding of the situation is that the young woman fought back. She confronted the attacker and was able to get away, which took a lot of courage,” said Allin.

Allin demonstrates the importance of yelling to prevent freezing.

In this class, community members are witnessing themselves stepping into power, recognizing that they deserve much more. Wen-Do is hoping to make “ a difference one student at a time,” said Allin.

Iula said that she believes the Wen-Do class is a good resource, helping her “feel safer, especially as a woman in first-year.”

Consent Comes First (CCF) organizes Wen-Do workshops for TMU community members.

Tiffany Wong, a sexual violence specialist at CCF, followed the class first-hand and felt safer, confident and empowered.

“CCF creates opportunities for people affected by violence to cultivate safety, healing and leadership on their own terms,” said Wong in an email.

As liberationist spaces work towards dismantling patriarchal systems and rape culture that harm communities, Wen-Do wants to anchor folks with tools to fight against gender-based violence and abusers’ entitlement to the bodies of marginalized peoples.

As danger is a constant, “having to take a self-defense class is so sad, but it is the last measure,” said Sarme Saseeharan, a graphic communications management student.

“You must be prepared to defend yourself because the school won’t help you,” said Saseeharan.