MONTREAL — Hayleigh Abbott’s parents had hoped Skate Canada’s investigation would clear their daughter’s name quickly, after filing a complaint last fall. But eight months into the process, they are now convinced it’s corrupt.
“Skate Canada is broken.”
“There’s an issue with bullying and they’re not dealing with it, their processes are a mess!” deplored Hayleigh’s father Neil Abbott.
Hayleigh’s family filed complaints against her coach and figure-skating club last September, after the now 12-year old was kicked out for speaking out about her claims of bullying.
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“We’re over eight months, an 11-year old was bullied, we have the proof, through their independent investigator’s report.”
READ MORE: Young figure skater still off the ice 3 months after reporting bullying
But a Skate Canada investigator disagrees with Hayleigh’s family.
Although an initial report indicated that some of the incidents complained of did take place, the report concluded those incidents did not amount to bullying.
The alleged bully was described as “someone that can lose his temper easily,” while Hayleigh was described as “someone that demands a lot of attention.”
The report revealed there was “a certain degree of ignorance about the bullying policy in place,” but it also concluded that there wasn’t evidence “to corroborate the allegations of bullying …”
“It is the word of one against the other.”
The investigator was of the opinion that bullying did not take place, but the investigative report is now in the hands of Skate Canada, where it is currently under review by a documentary hearing panel.
The coach and the family of the alleged bully have refused Global News’ request for an interview, citing Skate Canada’s confidentiality clause in the case of complaints.
READ MORE: 12-year-old’s figure skating future ends after she reports bullying
However, in a letter to Global News, a lawyer for the father of the alleged bully said the claims were unfounded and biased.
As for Hayleigh’s parents, they feel Skate Canada is giving them the run-around and drawing out the process on purpose.
“They have said that if I go to the media, they will not continue the process. I don’t understand why, because I have nothing to hide,” asked Hayleigh’s mother Cynthia Ruffino.
“What does Skate Canada have to hide?”
“They’re just scared to say that they made a mistake, there’s something wrong with what they’re doing” insisted Hayleigh, who has since joined her school’s cheerleading team.
At first, she had high hopes of getting back on the ice, but she is slowly giving up on her dream.
“I mean they should have done something by now and it’s really not fair,” said Hayleigh.
“I also feel kind of sad for the people that have seen it happen, that know it’s going on, but they won’t do anything because they’re too afraid to speak up about it.”
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