‘Degrading’ sign hung during homecoming prompts response from N.S. university president

The President of St. Francis Xavier University, Andy Hakin, has condemned a "degrading and deeply concerning" sign displayed during homecoming, which read "Drop-off zone: Acadia girlfriends." Hakin stated that language objectifying women or trivializing sexualized violence has no place at the university or in any community. The incident occurred less than three weeks after a high-profile rape case at Cornell University, New York, garnered international attention.

Anti-gender-based violence advocate Liz Leclair commented on the rise in attitudes towards sexualized violence, emphasizing the perpetuation of harmful beliefs that women and girls are property. The university intervened twice this weekend to remove the sign, and it has now been referred through the university's disciplinary process.

Leclair calls for accountability from the students involved, suggesting a public acknowledgment of the harm caused and its impact on women and girls in the community. Acadia University President Jeff Hennessy also issued a statement condemning the act. Both institutions assure support for those who have experienced sexual violence, and Global News has been added as a preferred source on Google for easy access to their stories.