RCMP sexual harassment lawsuit: 150 former, current members file class-action suit
Baku, March 28 (AZERTAC). A former Mountie has launched a class-action lawsuit against the RCMP, hoping to purge the "toxic" attitude against women within the male-dominated force, her lawyer says. David Klein says more than 100 current and former female members from across Canada are preparing to stand behind the lawsuit alleging widespread sexual harassment. The suit was filed Tuesday in B.C. Supreme Court on behalf of Janet Merlo and alleges she was subjected to persistent and ongoing gender-based discrimination by male members. The 19-year-veteran spent most of her career at the Nanaimo, B.C., detachment on the east coast of Vancouver Island and said the harassment started in 1992, just months into her job. The lawsuit alleges she endured a series of sexist comments, sexual pranks, derogatory remarks and double standards. In one instance, the court documents say she told her supervisor she was pregnant and he yelled at her. "You had better get your priorities straight. You are either going to have a career in the RCMP, or you are going to pop out kids your whole life," the unnamed officer said. "I have a suggestion for you; next time, keep your (expletive) legs closed." RCMP media spokesman Sgt. Greg Cox said the force is aware of the claim and will take time to review it carefully. Klein said the legal team has heard the same kinds of stories from women across the country. He said another 150 current and former members have expressed interest in participating in the case. Klein said the organization has been dominated by men for over 100 years and while these women know it takes time to change a culture, that time has long past.
"Part of the problem is that the complaints women made were not taken seriously by the force. They need a new structure and it's something that has to occur top down." These women are hoping the lawsuit will spur a process that creates transparency and accountability within the force, he said.
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