I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has written kind words of support over the past 6 months. I would also like to send my appreciation to each an every one of you who made a donation towards my legal fees. Please note that my mailing address at the bottom has changed. The email address has remained the same. I hope that my victory will bring us one step closer to where we would like to be.
Lindsay Jane Stanley-Willow versus Halifax Regional School Board, Nova Scotia
I wanted to take a moment to let everyone know that next week I will begin a Human Rights Trial against my employer the Halifax Regional School Board. I am surprised how difficult it is to simply write this email to everyone, but it hard to convey to my friends the past 5 years of my life. How can you convey effectively the impact of facing 5 years of harassment has had on me physically, mentally and financially? I guess the easiest way is to tell you briefly my story.
In June 2000, I had been teaching at Halifax West High School for 4 years as a Physical Education teacher. My teacher evaluations over the past 4 years had been exceptional, and I was working on my Masters in hopes of moving to Administration within the board. I was happy in my chosen profession; no in fact I loved my career choice. Two months later in September 2000, a grade 12 female student helped me carry in some golf clubs from my car to an equipment room. A male co-worker at the school apparently witnessed the student helping me and made an allegation to the principal that he believed there was something going on of a sexual nature.
The principal took his statement as factual, ignoring the statement from another teacher who explained she saw us leaving the equipment room and saw nothing out of the ordinary. Without interviewing the student or me to discuss the allegations, the principal called to police. Without the right to a union representative present I was removed from teaching, and interviewed by the administration of the school and the police. Within the interview, in the presence of the police the principal asked me if I told the student I was a Lesbian. The police left the school discovering that there was no actual witness account, and no victim.
After the police left the building the principal began to discipline me, making it clear he believed the accusations, and even believed there may be other situations involving inappropriate conduct with female students. You can imagine, the damage these accusations can have on an individual emotionally, physically and above all on their reputation as a professional. Once accused of Child abuse it is impossible to restore one’s reputation, especially as a teacher. This horror has followed me for 5 years and I fear will always be with me.
A person deserves the right to feel safe in their workplace. There needs to be a process for investigation and retribution against individuals that make false accusations. There needs to be established policy and procedures to follow when making accusations that protects the rights of everyone involved. This should not be left up to the discretion of the principal only. Falsely accused individuals should not face more harassment for defending their human rights. The individuals that harass their employees should face discipline, the solution should not be that the employee is forced to change locations to another school. A person should not be punished for continuing to work, it does not mean that the damage to their life is insignificant.
There are several ways you could show your support which would be greatly appreciated:
1. Send your thoughts and good wishes my way. It has been a difficult journey over the last five years and feeling the support of others is what makes it possible for me to keep going when I continue to face adversity.
2. Make your voice heard. Talk to others about the bullying people face in the workplace. Share your stories. Awareness is the key to protecting Human Rights.
3. Make a donation. The lead up to the tribunal over the past 5 years and the tribunal itself has been a huge expense. The tribunal itself cost over $90 000.00 to have my own legal representation present, including the cost over 5 years to reach the stage of a tribunal. The financial struggle to keep the fight going has been devastating and unfair. It should not break an individual financially to protect their rights. Even if everyone spared $10 dollars it would send a powerful message that the larger organizations can’t win because they have more financial backing. I often ask myself what is my integrity worth, and my answer is everything I have.
A non profit account has been established by friends:
Cheques should be made out to: LWillowHRTribunal
Mailed to: LWillowHRTribunal
106 Station Rd. Martins River, NS
Canada, B0J 2E0
