Behind the Line – Staff Sergeant Robert F. Blundell and Sexual Harassment allegations at the RCMP

Behind the Line (video viewable worldwide) is an insightful The Fifth Estate story,

“An investigation into sexual harassment allegations at the RCMP. The inside story of women who signed up to serve and protect and now claim Canada’s pre-eminent police force failed to protect them.“

Chilling stories. After watching the show, I am sickened to hear officier Robert F. Blundell (constable then) eventually admitted to sexual assaults of fellow female officiers in multiple cases was promoted over the years. And promoted to Staff Sergeant in 2002 while the lives and careers of the traumatized female officiers were wrecked.

Have a read of Blundell’s recent statement. According to Fifth Estate, Blundell was transferred in 2002 to “E” Division Protective Operations.

Have a watch of the full 17 minutes interview with RCMP Commissioner Robert Paulson.

And “B.C. Mountie alleges years of sexual harassment” – WARNING: this story contains graphic details

“CBC News has learned that one of B.C.’s highest profile Mounties says she’s suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after years of sexual harassment.

Cpl. Catherine Galliford was the face of the B.C. RCMP for years. [...] But in an internal RCMP complaint, Galliford makes serious allegations about misconduct inside the RCMP. [...]

“Everything that came out of his [a supervisor's] mouth was sexual,” Galliford said. “If I had a dime for every time one of my bosses asked me to sit on his knee, I’d be on a yacht in the Bahamas right now.”"

Unless and until the earlier cases involving Staff Sergeant Robert F. Blundell were reopened and properly addressed and penalties handed out and accepted by the victims, AND unless & until Galliford’s allegations were properly handled and punishments handed out, why would any female Canadians want to join the RCMP? Any police force, especially RCMP, that is unwilling and unable to see its own mistakes re sexual harassment deserve no respect from ALL Canadians (female or male)!

CBC News, “RCMP lawsuit may be joined by dozens of women – ‘Broken families’ and ‘broken careers’ tied to harassment on job, lawyer says“

At the end of the day, the bugs stop at the desks of RCMP Commissioner Robert Paulson and Prime Minister Stephen Harper. We Canadians own it to our female police officiers to sort out these mess!

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