The rash of verbal attacks of female reporters covering sporting events must stop and the police need to get involved.

Given that most major sporting events will already have lots of police presence, many in plain clothes, why not assign at least some police to monitor the events occurring around female reporters? Perhaps police and news stations could coordinate to put an end to unwarranted harassment of female reporters.

For those that think shouting sexually harassing phrases in front of cameras is somehow funny, they should think again. An “assault” does not require any actual physical touching or harm. If there is imminent fear of harm through a verbal attack then that is sufficient to meet the legal definition of assault. Those that commit these assaults should be charged so that the Courts can deal with them and this childish nonsense can be stopped in its tracks.

As a reminder, here is what Canada’s Criminal Code defines as assault and might be used in these sexual harassment cases:

Assault

265. (1) A person commits an assault when

(b) he attempts or threatens, by an act or a gesture, to apply force to another person, if he has, or causes that other person to believe on reasonable grounds that he has, present ability to effect his purpose; or

Another possible charge may be:

Criminal harassment

264. (1) No person shall, without lawful authority and knowing that another person is harassed or recklessly as to whether the other person is harassed, engage in conduct referred to in subsection (2) that causes that other person reasonably, in all the circumstances, to fear for their safety or the safety of anyone known to them.

Prohibited conduct

(2) The conduct mentioned in subsection (1) consists of

(d) engaging in threatening conduct directed at the other person or any member of their family.

By Darryl Aarbo of Aarbo Fuldauer LLP

For more information, please contact the law office of Aarbo Fuldauer LLP at:

Address: 3rd Floor, 1131 Kensington Road NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 3P4
Phone: (403) 571-5120
Email: [email protected]

Darryl Aarbo
Barrister & Solicitor
www.aflawyers.ca

*The information contained in this blog is not legal advice. It should not be construed as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. If you require legal assistance, please contact a lawyer*