The #metoo movement has burst an abscess that we haven’t finished emptying for five years. André Boisclair, Hockey Canada, Philippe Bond… this week alone, headliners from the political, sports and artistic scene fueled the black series.
Posted at 5:00 a.m.
Even if things have changed, this is proof that there is still a long way to go to break the omerta that prevents victims from speaking.
Because the culture of silence remains strong.
It is staggering to note that Hockey Canada had set up a fund that reached up to $15 million, as revealed by the Globe and Mail. This money notably made it possible to quietly settle complaints of sexual misconduct.
This attitude gives the detestable impression that the organization saw rape as inevitable, as an expense that is easier to predict than to try to eradicate. ” Cost of doing business. ” It is unacceptable !
As for Philippe Bond, the alleged misconduct reported by eight women in The Press, this week, seemed like the worst-kept secret in town. The producer of Everybody talks about it had banned the comedian for a long time. The Just for Laughs Group had begun to exclude him from its programming.
However, Philippe Bond kept his microphone as co-host of It’s still funny, to Energy. It took the scandal to break out for Bell Media to dump him. We would have expected more proactivity.
Over the years, all these denunciations have nevertheless led to public and political awareness.
We must salute the efforts of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) — in concert with the Liberals, PQ and Solidaires — which led to the creation of a specialized court that will better support victims.
The government has also provided more funding to a host of organizations. Results ?
New programs like Rebuild, which offers four hours of free legal advice to victims of sexual or domestic violence.
More officers in the Crime Victims Assistance Centers (CAVAC) to accompany victims in court.
The Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP) has also set up a free and confidential telephone line that allows victims to speak to a prosecutor specializing in sexual assault.
These are great initiatives.
The workplace is also making an effort. It is true that employees have more recourse than contractors. But with the recent reform of the Status of the Artist Actartists, who are self-employed, will now be able to assert their rights before the Tribunal administratif du Québec (TAQ).
Good news for the cultural community which has been in the eye of the MeToo storm.
In fact, society as a whole evolved through this unpleasant but essential collective discussion.
Now the victims are rising. Some speak openly. We salute their courage, whereas before we minimized their complaint… when we didn’t put the blame squarely on their backs.
Moreover, it is reassuring to see that the Gatineau police quickly decided to reconnect with a woman who had dropped her complaint against Philippe Bond. When she reported to the station in 2007, the police seemed more concerned about the comedian’s reputation than his testimony. Misery !
But still today, only a minority of victims of sexual assault file a complaint, in particular because they do not want to see their attacker – often a friend, a colleague or a member of their family – end up behind bars, notes Juripop. .
Some would prefer the crime to be acknowledged through a restorative justice process, which is difficult since an abuser’s apology can later turn into a confession.
If we do not want victims to turn to social media to obtain justice, there would therefore be reason to think about an alternative approach that would correspond to the aspirations of victims, without being justice at a discount for the aggressors.
However, the solution to sexual assault cannot come solely through the legal system.
To prevent attacks, we must work upstream. Putting sex education back on the agenda for young people who grew up watching pornography on the web.
Yes, the school has its role to play. But also the parents. And society as a whole. Consent is not that complicated to understand. And yet…
How is it that Philippe Bond did not back down in front of the protests of the young woman whom he would have locked in a public toilet?
How is it that out of eight hockey players who allegedly found themselves in a hotel room with a single inebriated woman, not a single one thought of intervening?
To prevent sexual misconduct, stop looking away. It’s fine to encourage victims to file a complaint, but witnesses must also play an active role.
Collectively, we must all open our eyes and break the silence.
Some resources
Call the DPCP line: 1 877 547-3727