If you haven’t heard by now, there’s been a recent uprise in reports of sexual assault in The Annex, specifically in the area of Christie Pits park. Thankfully, the community has rallied in support of those who’ve been attacked, and people are calling for increased action in the area to keep this from happening again.
The march, just three days in planning, was in protest against a wave of sexual assaults in the Christie St. and Bloor St. W. area in the past couple of months. “I just felt like action needed to be taken,” said Liz Brockfest, a co-organizer who teaches at George Brown College.
The recent wave of sexual assaults in the area — four more women came forward last week saying they had been attacked — was the tipping point, she said.
AdvertisementAt least 10 cases have been reported there in the past two months, rattling the community.
The assaults, in which the victims say they were approached from behind, began in the Spadina Ave. and College St. area. The Toronto police sex crimes unit says it believes the attacks are being committed by the same man; he is described as black, about 6 feet tall with a stocky build. [via The Star]
For those who live in the area . . . Well, just do what you can to keep yourselves safe. Unfortunately, the person in question is kind of operating outside the law, not to mention basic human decency, so whatever you can do to stay safe is the best.
And while we’re on the subject, just a little bit of clarity: no means no. Any sort of hesitation or unwillingness means no. If someone isn’t 100 percent committed, then accept it and move on. Sex is supposed to be safe, sane and consensual, and if it’s not, then something is wrong.
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