Thursday’s public apology by RCMP and payout to past and present females in the police ranks for sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination they endured through the years isn’t enough says a former Red Deer officer.
In 1994, Alice Clark successfully sued the RCMP for sexual harassment and discrimination she experienced at the hands of her superiors and peers.
Clark said RCMP must show it has taken responsibility through actions, not just words.
“So what are we doing with the men who raped these women, or sexually assaulted them physically? That’s what the public wants to know. I feel they have a right to know. That’s what I want to know,” said Clark, who quit the force in 1987 and took a job with the B.C. government.
On Thursday, RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson apologized and announced a $100-million settlement of two class-action lawsuits covering hundreds of female officers and employees who worked for the RCMP from 1974, when female officers were first on the job, to today.
Clark worried the settlement would put a gag order in place to prevent women from talking about their experiences — even with therapists — to help them heal.
“For me it’s not about bashing the RCMP when you speak about it, it’s about being part of your healing process down the road. You need to process it somehow. You can’t talk about it. You can’t move forward because you have no way to process your way through it.”
She said they wouldn’t even be able to write in a journal on the chance it might be read by someone.
It was a smart move by the RCMP to settle now so the class-action lawsuits didn’t proceed through the court, she said.
“It doesn’t become public record in regards to what happened to these women. (The RCMP) doesn’t accept responsibility or accountability for what happened.
“I waited four years to have my say in court. For me it was never about the money. It was about the accountability and refusing to be a victim and having my say and having it acknowledged they were responsible for what happened.”
A federal court awarded Clark $93,000 for lost wages and compensation for pain and suffering.
She said the culture must change within the RCMP for positive change to come from Thursday’s announcement. And changing the culture will only come by cracking down on harassment.
“I’m hoping the female commissioned officers keep an eye on things and speak out and do keep them accountable. I have not yet seen any of them do that.”
An internal process also must be in place so women can safely bring forward complaints, she said.
“I don’t care what you say, there is no privacy in the RCMP. Everybody knows your business. You make yourself a walking target. You don’t feel safe to bring it forward.”
Clark is finishing her second book about her experience with the RCMP. Lost Dreams — No longer Canada’s Pride will be launched in Red Deer next May.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com