In October 2017, the investigations of the New York Times and New Yorkr on Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein lead to the emergence of a global whistleblowing movement. A look back at the events that marked the movement in Quebec.
October 5, 2017
the New York Times reports allegations of sexual harassment against Harvey Weinstein. Eight women testify to having been victims of the famous and all-powerful Hollywood film producer. On October 10, the New Yorker in turn publishes the testimonies of 13 women who also claim to have been victims of sexual harassment, 3 of whom claim that Harvey Weinstein raped them.
October 15, 2017
In a tweetthe American actress Alyssa Milano encourages women to denounce the sexual violence of which they have been victims by answering her “ me too “. The hashtag #MeToo is shared by millions of victims on social networks. The rallying cry was created in 2006 by black activist Tarana Burke to raise awareness of the cause of racialized women victims of violence.
October 18, 2017
In an article by The Pressthe popular animator Eric Salvail is splashed with allegations of sexual harassment. Eleven people say they were victims or witnesses of sexual misconduct on his part. He retired from managing his production company two days later.
October 19, 2017
The president of the Just for Laughs Group and commissioner of the 375 celebrationse Montreal birthday,Gilbert Rozonis singled out by a dozen women for harassment and sexual assault, in publications of the To have to and station 98.5 FM of Cogeco. He resigned a few hours before the publication of this information. He refutes all these
allegations.
December 2018 and January 2019
In Quebec, the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions announced on December 12, 2018, the deposit ofaccusations for rape and indecent assault in only one of the 14 sexual misconduct cases involving Gilbert
Roson. A month later, on January 15, 2019, it was Éric Salvail’s turn to be charged with harassment, sexual assault and forcible confinement.
July 2020
Three years after the #MeToo movement, a new wave of denunciations is sweeping through social media in Quebec. Whistleblowers write the name of their alleged attacker on lists relayed on the Internet, in particular by the Say his name page. The comedian Julien
Lacroix is notably targeted by allegations of misconduct and sexual assault.
December 2020
The trials of Gilbert Rozon and Éric Salvail were closely followed by the media and the public. At the end of their respective trials, they are both acquitted because court testimony raised a reasonable doubt about their guilt.
November 25, 2021
In Quebec, the National Assembly unanimously adopts a law creating a specialized court on sexual violence and domestic violence. Pilot projects are planned. The first was created in Valleyfield in March 2022. The purpose of these courts is to support victims of sexual or domestic violence throughout their proceedings before the courts.