Saskatchewan was one of the few places left relatively unscathed by the first waves of #MeToo and its predecessor #BeenRapedNeverReported. The province’s two major cities tend to operate more like small towns. They are the kind of places where everyone knows and everyone whispers — but no one says anything and alleged abusers are protected. It is often the victims who become the villains should they dare to speak out. That changed this summer when myself and my wonderfully talented colleague Bonnie Allen revealed several allegations about high-profile community members. The work soon snowballed beyond our reporting.
An Instagram account, labelled a reckoning, was launched. Women (and some men) posted hundreds of stories about the harassment and abuse they experienced, and some of them named their alleged abusers or the establishments that allowed the behaviour to continue. After more than 1,000 posts were made the account was sent into silence. A man began a lawsuit against Facebook (owner of Instagram) and Jane Doe — the moderator he still doesn’t know the identity of. For now, the community has returned to its whisper networks but there has also mean meaningful change. Workplace reviews have taken place, employees have undergone harassment bystander training and codes of conduct have been implemented.
The first investigative story we published involved a popular mental health advocate who travelled to and fro all across the province touting self-esteem and self-love. He had also spent 16 years working in the restaurant industry…
Saskatchewan women accuse prominent mental health advocate of sexual harassment
Fifteen former employees of a high-profile mental health advocate in Saskatchewan say they're struggling to reconcile his growing influence among schoolchildren with his past behaviour toward girls and young women in the restaurant industry.
Advocate Jim Demeray, 38, recently issued a statement to CBC News addressing allegations that he participated in a racist sketch called "African for that," and says he regrets participating in the "Sexcellence" awards at an Earls staff event.
But Demeray denies allegations from 15 women who say he repeatedly sexually harassed, objectified or behaved inappropriately toward them when he was their boss at two Earls restaurants in Regina between 2000 and 2016.
"These allegations against me are baseless and untrue," Demeray said in an emailed statement. "In my 16 years working in the restaurant business there was never a complaint or a suggestion that I acted inappropriately around female staff."
The women want Demeray, who earns money promoting mental wellness, to address what they say is his legacy of mental harm. Many of them were teenagers at the time and at least one was underage during the alleged sexual harassment. Some say the mental damage he inflicted still lingers with them today.
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The creator of the Instagram page, who CBC has agreed not to name, was also sexually violated.
"As a survivor myself, I've found a lot of healing in telling my story," she said, adding sharing can lead to empathy and understanding among others.
She created the page in response to the numerous allegations of verbal sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour against mental health advocate and former Earls manager Jim Demeray, which came to light in a CBC News Investigation.
She said she drew inspiration from similar accounts across Canada. There have been #metoo conversations in Regina before, but never quite like this, she said.
"I think that it's a reckoning that's long overdue," she said. "It's Regina's time."
Sask. assault centres say more prevention, education on sexual violence needed
Three sexual assault centres are collectively speaking up after the closure of a Regina-focused Instagram account intended to let survivors of sexual violence share their stories.
"We hear [survivors] and we understand that using social media as a platform to express their stories is because there are so few really effective, viable options for people to report or be heard."
#MeToo stories and stories of rampant harassment emerged throughout the summertime. City councillors, artists, non-profit employees and popular musicians were called upon to address their alleged past behaviour.
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Tattoo artists advocate for safe spaces as #metoo movement hits Regina industry
Sask. women share #metoo stories detailing 'toxic' culture of restaurant industry
I wrote about bystander training, the tattoo industry and the restaurant industry but I personally could not follow all of these threads, because I was wrapped up in a lengthy investigation involving one of Saskatchewan’s biggest non-profit organizations after allegations spanning decades came to light:
'We were being silenced': Former staff detail 'toxic' environment at Regina non-profit
Former staff members of a Regina non-profit are sounding the alarm about what they call a toxic, manipulative and abusive workplace culture allegedly fostered by the highest level of management at the organization, which aims to empower young, vulnerable people and the community.
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