Peel students stage walkout accusing staff of dismissing sexual assault allegations

Students at a Peel District School Board school staged a walkout Wednesday to bring attention to sexual assault and harassment allegations.

Students have accused administrators at Applewood Heights Secondary School of not taking sexual assault allegations seriously and dismissing them as “drama.”

Grade 10 student Amelia said they are trying to raise awareness about the incident.

“We are trying to speak up for ourselves. We went to the board, we went to the police, we went to the school and they’re doing nothing. We are trying to stick up for ourselves and raise awareness,” said Amelia.

“Victims feel unsafe in a place they are supposed to be safe.”

Students chanted “No means No” and held signs that said “Speaking out isn’t drama.”

“Calling it ‘drama’ when [someone] comes forward which is, in my opinion, almost offensive to women in general. Our stories do matter,” said another student at the walkout. “When you brush off those stories, you are disregarding and invalidating women as a whole.”

“There could’ve been more done to protect the student body as a whole.”

Another walkout was also held at Cawthra Park Secondary School where there was another recent sexual assault allegation.

In a statement to CityNews, the Peel District School Board says the principals of Applewood and Cawthra have both completed investigations into recent sexual assault reports.

“During their investigations, the principals at both schools contacted Peel Regional Police,” said the school board. “Our principals and school administrators make privacy and confidentiality a top priority in investigations. As a result, we will not provide any more information about these investigations.”

Peel police say they have received reports of sexual allegations at Applewood Heights, but would not share any further details.

Organizers of the the walkout have also sent a letter to the Peel District School Board with a list of demands that include the school to taking responsibility for acts of censorship, providing support to the victims of sexual assault, and the school teach students the importance of consent to prevent future incidents.