This story is from Canada, but I wish colleges in the United States would take notice.
On October 5th, The Toronto Star posted a story about a recent incident at the University of Toronto. The college had established gender-neutral bathrooms. Remember, these are college students–not allways noted for their self-discipline and civilized behavior.
The article reports:
The University of Toronto has decreased the number of gender-neutral bathrooms in one of its colleges after two women became victims of voyeurism when they were filmed while showering.
Toronto Police Const. Victor Kwong said Monday that two women in separate instances at the Whitney Hall residence reported that they saw a cellphone reach over the shower-stall dividers in an attempt to record them. Police have yet to find any information about the culprit, but the investigation is ongoing.
At least one gender-neutral washroom remains on each floor.
The obvious questions is, “Why does at least one gender-neutral washroom remain on each floor?” Didn’t these people see “Animal House?”
The article further states:
According to the Varsity campus newspaper, the two cellphone incidents occurred Sept. 15 and Sept. 19.
Scott (Melinda Scott, the dean of students at University College), says the college will be reevaluating the designation of the bathrooms in the coming weeks. “The UC Residences continue to work in close collaboration with the Community Safety Office and Campus Police to ensure that the residences are a safe space for our students.”
With all due respect, Ms. Scott, has it occurred to anyone that gender-neutral bathrooms might simply be a bad idea for college students? Has anyone bothered to consider the feelings of the women who had the experience with the cell phone camera? Has anything been done to prevent women from having that experience in the future? Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but it seems to me that part of the responsibility of a college is to protect its students from being violated in this manner. Obviously, gender-neutral bathrooms make this rather difficult.