SafeWalk offers anyone safe and reliable escort to anywhere on the U of G campus
The campus at U of G is well-lit and constantly bustling with activity, even late at night. I lived in residence for most of my academic career, so I got to know the area better than most by the time I graduated. Even so, my familiarity didn’t make me immune to the creeping anxiety I felt whenever I realized I’d be crossing campus alone at night.
I was lucky enough that I had friends I trusted on campus who were willing to walk me back to residence whenever I felt unsafe. However, not everyone has that luxury. Thankfully, there is a reliable and accessible way for all to get home safely.
SafeWalk is a student-run volunteer organization that provides late-night escorting services for anyone on campus, from students and faculty to staff and visitors. Created in 1991 as a CSA service, SafeWalk is dedicated to reliability, integrity, and respect.
“We are human versions of a safe space,” said Bronte Detenbeck, volunteer and PR coordinator for SafeWalk, to The Ontarion. “Our team of brilliant volunteers will come to walk with anyone (with no bias!) to any destination they need to on campus. Our team has been trained to be respectful, kind, and as subtle as requested in their help of students.”
Prior to the pandemic, SafeWalk operated from 7:30 p.m. until 2:30 a.m. every weekday, and the service saw “consistent use” since students were frequently on campus at night studying or using U of G facilities. University closures brought SafeWalk to a grinding halt, but volunteers are finally back and accompanying individuals to various destinations on campus.
As of Oct. 18, SafeWalk operates from 10 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. every weekday. Volunteers are required to comply with U of G COVID-19 guidelines, which includes completing the COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control course, submitting campus screening forms prior to each shift, and social distancing and wearing masks during shifts. Volunteer training has also been expanded to include more mental health resources, academic opportunities, and “anything else students might want to chat about on their way to their destination,” says Detenbeck.
However, since SafeWalk is manned primarily by returning escorts, last year’s campus closure has reduced the number of volunteers the program has this year and thus increased the amount of training resources needed.
SafeWalk Coordinator Daniel Hinds says that because of the reduced number of applicants, shift hours will not return to normal until enough people are recruited. Also, volunteers will not be required to complete full circuits of campus until regular shift hours are reinstated.
According to Hinds, SafeWalk provides volunteers with opportunities to “give back” to the campus community, meet new people, and gain valuable experiences. However, SafeWalk is just as crucial to everyone else on campus.
“Every person on campus should have the right to comfortably study late at the library, go to the gym, visit a residence, or engage in any other activities without having to worry that they are out too late or that it may not be safe to travel across campus when they leave,” Hinds said.
“With recent events both at Western University and right here on our campus, it is vital that SafeWalk is available for any student who may feel that accompaniment is necessary.”
Hinds credits SafeWalk’s successful operations to the “amazing team” of volunteers who contribute to the organization.
A version of this article appeared in print in The Ontarion issue 191.3 on Oct. 28, 2021.
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