Toronto police say “no credible threats have been identified” after alarming comments were posted online about female faculty members and students at the University of Toronto.
The comments, which the university confirms were of a threatening nature, were posted in an anonymous online article on Sept. 5, police say.
Officials have provided few details about what was written however a release issued by CUPE Local 3902 – which represents academic staff – said that the threats were made “specifically toward women and feminists” and encouraged violence against those working in sociology and women’s studies classrooms.
As a precaution, the university has stepped up security at all three campuses.
“Toronto police have told us that they are considering this a low-level risk and they are investigating,” David Estok, a spokesperson for the University of Toronto told CP24 Friday.
“We felt it was prudent to let our staff and our students and our faculty know about this posting, this very unfortunate posting, and we’ve taken some measures just to heighten security and make sure that if there are any issues or anyone spots anything to let us know.”
Police say the investigation is ongoing and involves 52 Division, the cyber crime unit and the University of Toronto.
In a statement released Friday, the university's president Meric Gertler called the online threats "disturbing."
“Violence against women is a despicable reality in Canada and around the world," Gertler said.
"We must take every opportunity to condemn it and work tirelessly to bring it to an end."
University of Toronto Faculty Association president Scott Prudham said the association has been in touch with its members and university officials to discuss the new security measures and other steps the school can take.
"UTFA condemns in the strongest possible terms any threat of violence made against colleagues in any walk of academic life, including threats to women who do research and teach in ways that draw on and develop the invaluable contributions of feminism to understanding and improving the world in which we live," Prudham wrote in a statement.
