A police officer stands up to harassment in the workplace

Too many women know what it feels like to be harassed at the place they work. It could be as obvious as an unwanted sexual proposition, a degrading comment or an uninvited touch. It could be more subtle, like comments that draw attention to a woman’s body or physical appearance. It could involve male colleagues whispering behind her back or a promotion denied because she complained about their behaviour.

Constable Heather McWilliams experienced sexual harassment for years at the hands of her supervisors in the Toronto Police Service. When she refused to stay silent, she paid a further price. After six long years, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal recently ruled not only that she had been treated unfairly, but that there was a culture of sexual harassment throughout the police service. (You can hear her tell her story here.)

It’s the kind of case that, like harassment of women in the military, is especially alarming to ordinary people and especially to women. First of all, there’s the fact that in 2020, women are still being demeaned and threatened at work simply because of their gender. But second, there’s the reality that if women are seen as sexual objects by some fellow officers and superiors, civilian women coming to police or military personnel are also being seen that way.

We are extremely fortunate to have a wonderful working relationship with Kawartha Lakes Police Service under the enlightened leadership of Chief of Police Mark Mitchell. Not every community is so lucky. Just imagine living in a similar size of community where the police or other first responders talked, acted and worked in ways that made it clear they did not see women as equals. Indeed, ask around — you may not have to go back as far as you think to hear those stories about this area.

Women deserve the freedom to do their jobs without being harassed or treated differently because of their gender. Regardless of their job, they deserve dignity and respect, just as male employees do. And women in every community need to know that if they experience abuse or assault, that they will be heard with compassion and fairness by those they turn to for help.

By Nancy Payne