In 1980 Alice Clark joined the RCMP to satisfy a childhood dream. A native of Hamilton, Ontario she received a post in Red Deer, Alberta where the male workers therein treated her respectfully and were helpful.
But things began to change soon after her transfer to traffic duty. Clark alleged that male officers regularly made their opinions clear about female officers. By 1987, Clark had endured enough incidents of sexual harassment and intimidation; she quit her job.
Later, Clark sued the RCMP; she told the Federal Court of Canada that she'd been grabbed, propositioned, and publicly humiliated by her superior. In addition, she said that once she found life-sized plastic breasts taped to her desk. She was awarded $93,000 in damages.
Clark's case wasn't typical. It was more on the extreme side. Most cases of sexual harassment of women on police forces range from irritating words to sexual propositions.
The introduction of tougher anti-harassment and discrimination policies by the RCMP, the Ontario Provincial Police and metropolitan police forces throughout Canada is a mandatory step toward a more tolerant environment for both genders.
Corporal Catherine Galliford had been a spokeswoman for the British Columbia RCMP. She said she endured many acts of sexual harassment and unwarranted advances, starting in 1991, following her graduation from the RCMP. She planned to file a lawsuit against her former employer. She has been on sick leave since 2006, and she's still suffering terribly. Galliford doesn't have much confidence in the system.
nI think they want to just get rid of the complainers ... I think they are moving ahead pretty quickly, I think they want to get rid of the people who are off-duty sick ... I struggle with multi-tasking and I struggle with short-term memory loss, so until I can heal properly I have no idea what's next," said Galliford. (By Jonathan Zettel, August 25, 2013 CTV News: CPL Galliford on RCMP: JThey Just Want to Get Rid of the Complainers; With Files from the Canadian Press)
CRUISE SHIPS RAPES:
-Travel with family and/or friends or in groups. Sexual predators generally target lone, defenceless, or incapacitated targets.
-Travellers on cruise ships come from all over the world, bringing with them cultural beliefs and practices. Cruise ship management and travel agencies are unable to check the criminal history of every single prospective passenger. It's beyond the time frame and abilities of these agencies to do so.
-Try not to make enemies. Be friendly but be aware of your surroundings, and the persons you're speaking to. They may lie about where they're from; they may work in pairs.
-Women can also be involved in a conspiracy to rape.
-Watch out for spiked drinks; always keep an eye on your food and drink even if you don't consume alcohol. If you eat in a cafeteria or dining hall, have a trusted family member or friend watch your food if you must temporarily leave.
-Be cautious when you enter restrooms that can be used by any passenger.
-Notify your family and friends of your voyage and keep communication lines open. Try not to get stranded alone.
-Find out about jurisdictional matters (i.e. the flag carrier of the ship or the country of next embarking). It makes all the difference in the world regarding law.
-Your personal safety and your beloved ones on the cruise are of prime importance.
-Never let your guard completely down. Don't be paranoid, be smart and careful.
-Don't allow a stranger or someone you just met inside your cabin, even if both of you are females and the person is smaller than you. The person may be a scout, a thief, or be part of a gang of criminals.
-Ask family and friends about the cruise lines you're planning to vacation on.
-Do your research regarding the towns and cities that you're going to visit during your cruise ship vacation.
-Keep your passport, identification papers, tickets, and anything else of value in a very safe and secure place.
-Don't bring much jewellery with you. Ask about insuring your property. Wearing expensive jewellery can be seen by the good and the bad.
-Break-in can easily turn into a sexual and/or physical assault.
-Considering how many people travel or enjoy themselves on cruise ships, your chances of being raped or assaulted are somewhat slim, but not impossible. Theft is more common than assault of any kind.
-In unusual cases a rape can occur at the hands of a cruise ship worker.
Twenty-eight year-old Ketute Pujayasa, a cruise ship worker aboard the Holland America had reportedly confessed to raping, beating, and strangling a female passenger, and then trying to throw her overboard. It is believed he told investigators that the woman had insulted him by saying, Jwait a minute, son of a bitch!' This was done as he was knocking on her cabin door to deliver breakfast. Pujayasa was quoted as saying that the statement was an insult to him and his family.
Pujayasa's initial plan was to punch the woman on the Lido deck, but decided not to because it was crowded. Instead, he used the master key to enter her cabin and hide on the balcony.
Pujayasa allegedly beat the returning woman with whatever objects he could grab hold of in the cabin, including a curling iron and a laptop computer. He used the phone cord to silence and strangle her. Miraculously, another passenger knocked on the cabin door, having heard the screams and commotion. Pujayasa promptly climbed over the balcony, ending the brutal attack.
FBI agents had been quoted as saying, nThe woman then continued to fight for her life by all means available including striking Pujayasa's exposed genitals as well as utilizing a corkscrew in an attempt to stab him." (February 19, 2014; HUFF POST CRIME: Cruise Ship Assault: Female Passenger Reportedly Raped, Beaten, and Strangled)
As quoted by Cruise Critic, in a prepared statement Holland America said, "While no