Denise Robinson, a constable with the Kativik Regional Police Force in northern Quebec, is shown here outside a police residence where she was raped by a fellow officer in Feb, 2010. (Colin Freeze /The Globe and Mail)
The victim of rape – police officer Denise Robinson – must prove she’s psychologically fit to return to work and is still waiting 3 years later, while the perpetrator – also a police officer – does NOT have to prove he’s psychologically fit and returned to work after a brief suspension. He is now serving 18 months in jail serving an 18 month term after being convicted.
Institutional sexism is well documented as wide spread in our criminal justice system. We can take action today by inviting women’s advocacy organizations to sit on governance boards and to be at decision making tables, by conducting equity audits of policy and operations, and by running education initiatives. Until we take sexism as a serious societal issue we will continue to let down our female victims and our female professionals.
Take Action:
Sign the petition by Denise Robinson to Protect Female Police Officers from abuse and discrimination in Canadian Police Forces http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/protect-female-police-officers-from-abuse-and-discrimination-in-canadian-police-forces
sources:
Globe & Mail article: Raped police officer offered cash to quit http://soc.li/ONHLkTU
Criminal justice system ‘institutionally sexist’ finds new report http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=934
YWCA Hamilton: Voices 