RCMP sexual harassment claims by these officers, and many more, can be dealt with under a settlement process the national police force is offering, for those who suffered abuse, from unwanted advances to sexual assault on the job.
Photo Credit: CBC / Natalie Clancy

RCMP sexual harassment settlement: hush money or progress?

RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson issued an emotional apology to the former female employees, and the women still working in Canada’s national police force yesterday. “We hurt you. For that I am truly sorry”, Paulson said at at the televised press conference to announce a $100 million (Cdn) settlement fund.

“the fist of God will descend upon the people” 

Almost 500 women were part of a class action against the force, but it is believed that as many as 1,000 will be applying for financial compensation. Since 1974, when women first began working as police officers in the iconic force, the harassment and abuse has been ongoing. And women who worked in administrative and clerical positions were subject to it as well.

Former Corporal Catherine Gallliford confided her suffering to CBC reporter Natalie Clancy in 2011. Since those revelations, hundreds of women have come forward with stories that ranged from unwanted advances, emotional abuse, to sexual assault and rape. Just 30 per cent of the plaintiffs in the case are still working for the RCMP.

Kim Stanton is the Legal Director of LEAF, the Women’s Legal Action and Education Fund. She says what is significant about this settlement is that it provides not only financial compensation for these women, but outlines ” an entire directive with respect to the change policies that will be implemented in the RCMP going forward.”

Stanton says yesterday’s announcement sends a broader message: “sexual harassment should not be tolerated and that it is very expensive to tolerate it within an organisation, not just with respect to litigation costs but the loss of productivity and the loss of talent.”.

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Several women have complained that the settlement does not do anything to deal with the perpetrators. There is criticism that many of the men responsible are being retired-off and will not be held responsible for their actions.

In an interview with CBC yesterday Alice Fox. an RCMP constable in British Columbia called the settlement “hush money”. She will continue with her harassment suit against the force separately. “How can you be validated when the RCMP lets them walk” she asked.

During the press conference yesterday, when asked if he would fire the perpetrators of harassment, Commissioner Paulson said, “If claimants come forward you can rest assured the fist of God will descend upon the people”. He promised action if complainants also file a complaint with the force, naming their aggressors.

The 20,000 women who have worked for the force or are still working, have six months to file a claim under the settlement. The claims will be confidential and Justice Michel Bastarache will determine, independently their merit, and which of the six levels of compensation, based on the severity of the claim, each woman is entitled to.

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