A former Toronto Metropolitan University student and rape survivor who was allegedly denied entry to an on-campus event for victims of sexual assault because of her anti-abortion beliefs, has reached settlements with both the school and its student union.
Second-year business student Talia Battista filed a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario after she was denied access to an event for sexual assault survivors in February of 2017, a decision she says was influenced by her pro-life advocacy.
Battista reached a settlement with the Toronto Metropolitan Students’ Union last December and with the university in January.
The student union has subsequently agreed to repeal a policy that barred anti-abortion students from using campus resources, according to a recent statement by Freedoms Advocate, an organization that supported Battista through the complaint process.
Complaint Resolution
Battista decided to file a complaint after attempting to attend a “Self-Healing Through Yoga” event on the Toronto Metropolitan University campus—which was then known as Ryerson University. The yoga event was for survivors of sexual assault but, because she was a volunteer with Toronto Against Abortion (TAA), and had spoken out against abortion on campus, she was not allowed to attend, Battista said.
“At the time, our Student Union offered closed spaces that were just for survivors,” Battista said during an appearance at the Canadian Religious Freedom Summit. “I was told that, because I shared my pro-life beliefs, even though they knew I would not have got into my pro-life beliefs at this event, this wouldn’t be appropriate for me to seek healing,” she added.
The complaint filed against the school and the student union with the provincial tribunal argued that she was a victim of discrimination based on her pro-life stance, which was formed by her religious beliefs.
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The Epoch times contacted the university and the students’ union for comment but did receive a response by publication time.
The student union said it did not violate Battista’s rights and rejected all claims of discrimination against her, according to the Freedoms Advocate press release.
An interim decision of the tribunal on Jan. 27, 2023, found that Battista had “established that her pro-life stance is a tenet of her creed founded in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church,” the press release said.
The union has since agreed to repeal Operational Policy #28 which said that “no TMSU resources, space, recognition or funding will be allocated to enhance groups/individuals whose primary/sole purpose is anti-choice activities. Such activities are defined as any campaigns, actions, distribution, solicitation, or lobbying efforts that seek to limit an individual’s right to choose what they can or cannot do with their own body.”
The policy also stated that no students union resources, space, recognition, or funding will be allocated to groups or individuals who are members or directly affiliated with external organizations that are pro-life.
It’s a policy the students union has promised to replace with an “issues policy” that will reflect the student union’s commitment to being pro-choice, the press release said.
The student union has agreed to modify existing or adopted new polices that will fit its commitment to be both discrimination and harassment free, according to the statement.
Employees, staff, and board members of the students’ union will complete human rights training, including discrimination on the basis of creed, and the connection between creed and pro-life beliefs of individuals.
Battista thanked Freedoms Advocate for its support in the statement.
“I also want to thank all of the individuals who have supported me and my family throughout the years, through your encouragement, financial support, and your prayers,” she said.
Pro-Life Groups Respond
The executive director for Freedoms Advocate said the case had an emotional impact on Battista’s life for the past seven years.
“We are glad there has been a successful outcome that resolves this to her satisfaction. Universities have a moral obligation to uphold principles of fairness and justice within their communities,” Randy Crosson said via email. “All students, regardless of creed and religious beliefs, should be treated equally and fairly and given the same access to supports.”
The founder of TAA, Blaise Alleyne, said he was encouraged by the “win.”
“The way the students’ union treated Talia was awful and heartbreaking,” Alleyne said in a separate email to The Epoch Times. “Her persistence has now resulted in the repeal of the policy denying pro-life clubs recognition on campus, and the students’ union has agreed to provide training on discrimination related to creed and pro-life beliefs.”
Adam Sinclair, the current president of TMU Against Abortion, also welcomed the settlement, saying he and other pro-life students have experienced hostility on campus.
“In my time at TMU, I’ve seen firsthand the hostility towards pro-life students,” he said in an email to The Epoch Times. “Friends and I have faced theft and violence while peacefully sharing the pro-life message, and we’ve been denied club status solely due to our beliefs.”
Sinclair said the students’ union repealing the policy was a “major step forward.”
“I hope that this settlement fosters an environment where current and future pro-life students will be accepted and respected within the TMU community.”
