The London Abused Women’s Centre at 797 York Street. (File photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn Media)The London Abused Women’s Centre at 797 York Street. (File photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn Media)
London

LAWC says Western's new lanyard ID system poses potential threat

The London Abused Women's Centre has shared some constructive criticism over Western University's new identification system initiative.

Earlier this week, the university announced the implementation of the 'Western Community Identification System'. The program consists of the university providing main campus students and employees with branded lanyards equipped with hard-plastic holders as a "secure way" to hold existing Western ONECards.

"As more and more people use the lanyards over time, they will help to create a visual way of identifying who is on campus at any given time," a release on Western's website read.

On Thursday, LAWC offered a statement regarding the lanyards on top of some backlash the university already received about the program from both students and faculty.

"LAWC believes it should never be the responsibility of young women on Western University campus to make themselves vulnerable by wearing private identification visibly for others, as that can open the door for perpetrators to obtain information about a woman before she is even aware of them," a statement from Executive Director Jennifer Dunn read.

While the university stated the use of the lanyards is voluntary and will not be enforced, it is encouraged, with officials suggesting individuals who are not comfortable displaying their identification card, to wear it against their body.

The launch of the identification program comes nearly two months after a vicious assault near campus killed a first-year student and reports of a series of alleged sexual assaults that were said to have taken place on campus began to circle social media. The online reports resulted in a large, ongoing investigation involving the university and London police.

In the weeks following, Western students participated in a walkout which led to the launch of a safety action plan which included beefed up security and mandatory sexual violence training.

Related: Western students walkout, demand change amid sexual assault allegations.

"Although increased security on campus is a good start, it should not be at the cost of a woman's privacy and autonomy," Dunn added. "It is no longer enough to treat the symptoms of a problem."

LAWC said officials need to continue to communicate with women on campus and within London about how their safety is important and that violence against them will not be tolerated.

In late October, London police charged a man multiple times with several counts of criminal harassment after he was accused of following three women on campus in his car and either asking them to get in his vehicle, or offering them drugs.

Starting in January, Western said it will also commence a visitor pilot program which will require most campus visitors to be registered online prior to coming onto campus and to wear branded visitor lanyards during their visit.

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