Sexual assault survivor confronts Kelowna mayor at council meeting

A sexual assault survivor confronted Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran about his confidence in the local RCMP during a city council meeting on Monday night.

Heather Friesen, who was allegedly raped when she was 15 years old, has been extremely vocal about her disdain for the RCMP and the mayor after Statistics Canada revealed the city香蕉视频直播檚 police force deemed almost 40 per cent of sexual assault reports as 香蕉视频直播渦nfounded香蕉视频直播� in 2018.

香蕉视频直播淭he survivors in this community who are too afraid to report because of the reputation of the RCMP in this community are not just anyone,香蕉视频直播� Friesen yelled at the mayor and councillors after the meeting ended.

香蕉视频直播淚 had the courage to stand in front of your office and call you out by name. And, when you apologize, all you say is anyone.香蕉视频直播�

The mayor tried to offer Friesen a meeting, saying he香蕉视频直播檇 be glad to meet in his office, however the offer was drowned out by Friesen who continued to yell.

香蕉视频直播淵ou know where I live, you know who I am,香蕉视频直播� she said while making her way out of the room.

香蕉视频直播淗ave the courage to come to me. I shouldn香蕉视频直播檛 have to beg you.香蕉视频直播�

Last week the mayor issued an apology to 香蕉视频直播渁nyone offended or hurt香蕉视频直播� by his initial reaction to the statistics.

香蕉视频直播淭he number of local sex assault complaints deemed to be unfounded is deeply concerning and I know the local detachment is taking this matter seriously,香蕉视频直播� wrote Basran in a Nov. 15 statement.

香蕉视频直播淚n retrospect, I should have waited for the results of an investigation into the matter before expressing my opinion.香蕉视频直播�

Basran said that while the RCMP operates independently, it is the city香蕉视频直播檚 responsibility to ensure matters concerning citizens are being addressed.

He has also directed staff to stay in close contact with the RCMP on the issue until a review is completed.

香蕉视频直播淚 support what the Kelowna RCMP has done in response to this new information from Statistics Canada 香蕉视频直播� starting with an internal review and a subsequent request to have the RCMP香蕉视频直播檚 Sexual Assault Review Team at national headquarters review the 2018 and 2019 files. That review will determine RCMP next steps,香蕉视频直播� wrote Basran.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 my understanding that the RCMP will report out once the investigation is complete and I香蕉视频直播檒l wait until that happens before commenting further.香蕉视频直播�

For Friesen, the mayor香蕉视频直播檚 apology 香蕉视频直播� while a start 香蕉视频直播� was not enough.

香蕉视频直播淎pologies are not sincere when you apologize for an offence given and you don香蕉视频直播檛 recognize why they are offensive,香蕉视频直播� Friesen said in an interview last Friday.

香蕉视频直播淎gain, Mayor Colin Basran香蕉视频直播檚 privilege is keeping him from recognizing why his comments are so offensive to survivors of sexual assault.香蕉视频直播�

She said she hoped he would be willing to meet with survivors of sexual assualt and discuss the larger issues at hand.

香蕉视频直播淩ape culture is a driving force in Kelowna by the RCMP, the community at large, and by him. We need to start combatting it,香蕉视频直播� said Friesen.

香蕉视频直播淗e needs to recognize how he contributed to it and how he can help stop it.香蕉视频直播�

Friesen also made a plea to other sexual assault survivors to come forward.

香蕉视频直播淚t doesn香蕉视频直播檛 matter if it香蕉视频直播檚 in the last two years,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淚f you have been mistreated by the RCMP; if you are part of the 40 per cent 香蕉视频直播� who cares if it was 10 years ago? Start speaking out. Demand better for the next woman. I can香蕉视频直播檛 do this alone.香蕉视频直播�

Friesen also left a flyer at the council meeting for an upcoming protest against the Kelowna RCMP.

The protest will be held in front of the RCMP deatchment on Richter Street on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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