WATCH: A Hammonds Plains woman is one of hundreds across the country who have come forward in a class action lawsuit against the RCMP for failing to provide a safe working environment free from discrimination. Julia Wong has her story.
HALIFAX – Cathy Mansley said her time in the RCMP eroded her spirit and her self-worth. Now the Hammonds Plains woman is one of hundreds of women who have come forward in a class action lawsuit against the Mounties.
The lawsuit is currently before B.C. Supreme Court and has not yet been certified. The female complainants say the Mounties failed to provide a work environment that was free from gender-based discrimination, bullying and harassment.
Mansley joined the RCMP in 1995 and worked in the Yarmouth, Tantallon and Sackville detachments. But she describes a working environment that was hostile to women.
She gives the example of a male colleague who would cat call her in front of other male members.
“It made me feel really uncomfortable,” she said, adding that there were few female officers in her detachment at the time.
Mansley also said she was taken aback by male colleagues who told her that the number of traffic stops she had completed was making them look back.
“It made me feel like I probably shouldn’t be working as hard as I was because I was threatening them,” she said.
Another incident involves a male superior who she said was degrading to her and other women.
“He would refer to me as ‘you’re one of those’ and he would glance over at the other female member across the room,” she said. “It made my self-worth feel inferior to the males.”
Mansley said she did not know where to turn to for help and said that complaints she made were swept under the rug and never fully investigated.
She ultimately developed PTSD from her time with the RCMP, which resulted in an incident and paid suspension from work.
She tells Global News she was shocked by how she was treated.
“I expected when I joined the RCMP that men and women were equal. We were treated the same. I can’t tell you how disappointed I am.”
Mansley has some theories about why women may be facing harassment and misogyny from their male peers.
“I know this is wrong, what’s going on, and I’m not going to let it eat me up and ruin my life.”
“They at least pay lip service to taking the problem seriously but they’re not taking the women seriously,” said David Klein, who is representing the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit.
“Until they take those claims seriously, the problem will not be solved.”
The RCMP would not comment on the lawsuit, saying it is before the courts.
But Staff Sgt. Julie Gagnon tells Global News that the Mounties have made strides in developing a respectful and productive workforce.
“While we will never be completely immune to workplace issues such as misconduct or harassment, overall RCMP members are conducting themselves in a highly professional manner,” a statement reads.
The courts are now deciding whether to certify the class action lawsuit, but Mansley said she plans to pursue legal action even if it doesn’t. She said the future generation of female Mounties is her motivation.
“I don’t want to see them go through what we went thought. I want to see them treated good, with dignity and with respect.”
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