Betty Selin, Vernon, B.C. (AM 1150) – A Vernon RCMP member has defended the RCMP, saying in her 17 years as an RCMP member she never been sexually harassed.
Cst Sue Kolibaba says she’s worked and socialized with male members in small detachments to large city detachments and have always been apart of the unit and treated with respect. She’s never felt members were or are careful around her because of her husbands position (Supt. Randy Kolibaba is the head of the S.E.District Traffic Services) and half of the members never even knew, and some still don’t know, who her husband is.
Kolibaba believes the RCMP has been very diligent in ensuring there are steps in place if a member has issues so they can be addressed in a timely manner.She says no one at the Vernon detachment has spoken to her about sexual harassment issues and it is a mute subject.
She says says recent quotes painted all female members as being sexually harassed and all male members as being sexually harassing and that’s just wrong. Kolibaba says comments made by Cpl. Catherine Galliford are unsubstantiated and she’s proof of that.
Cst Sue Kolibaba works with the GIS Serious crimes unit in Vernon.
[Source]
I don’t think we should put a lot of weight on Cst. Sue Kalibaba’s assertions, when her husband is a Superintendent, and the former Inspector of her detachment.
It is my understanding that a well documented and somewhat recent sexual harassment investigation was substantiated at Vernon RCMP Detachment regarding a senior NCO.
Maybe Sue you have not ever been on the unfortunate side of a sexual harassment, and maybe you should be grateful that you haven’t.
For sexual harassment to be systemic in our organization, it does not mean that each and every female has to endure this form of unwanted negative attention.
As a female Sue, you should rise above the “boys club” and quit towing the party line. Like most things, it never seems to be a problem until it hits close to home!
I wonder who put her up to saying this…. I wonder.
“A Vernon RCMP member has defended the RCMP, saying in her 17 years as an RCMP member she never been sexually harassed”.
Article Quote
I believe that it was DT who stated that the individual cases should be investigated before passing judgement. I agree.
It is clearly evident that harassment, assaults and murders of have taken place.
(Murder)
RCMP officer shoots girlfriend on highway
http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/coop/10/rcmpshoots.htmlCached – Similar
28 Jun 2001 – article re RCMP officer shooting girlfriend, arrested by Quebec Surete. … as Jocelyn Hotte, a member of the RCMP’s International Liaison and …
Cst. Sue Kolibaba must surely realize that her marriage to a Supt. Randy Kolibaba gives her a layer of protection that other female members do not have. It is also possible that she was not harassed because she works with respectful members.
Either way she is not qualified to speak for all members regarding harassment issues. She can ony speak for her experiences and observations. I would draw her attention to a focus group report dated 95-07-27 that states in part “Workplace harassment remains an unresolved problem in the RCMP”.
Harassment behaviour has been taking place long before the press coverage.
Calvin Lawrence