Street Culture Project staff doubt integrity of probe
Report on sex harassment allegations, other abuses now in hands of board
The board of Street Culture Project (SCP) has now received the initial report probing allegations of sexual harassment, abuse and a toxic workplace environment at the non-profit organization, but some current and former employees have little faith in the integrity of the investigation.
In August, SCP launched a third-party investigation, conducted by lawyer Donna Sigmeth. A website was created where individuals could come forward with allegations. On Friday, interim CEO Scott Cruickshank said SCP had received the initial report and some recommendations, but that there was still more work for the investigator to do and possibly more information to come.
Cruickshank said SCP will likely be able to comment on the report within a week.
A former employee at SCP who says she experienced sexual harassment during and after her time working at the organization told the Leader-post she filled out the form but found it to be deeply flawed.
“The way it was constructed with having these very specific questions and boxes you had to fill out made it impossible for people like myself to explain the kind of abuse that we experienced,” said the woman, who the Leader-post has agreed not to identify given the nature of the alleged harassment.
The woman said she filled out the form as best she could, and attached a note outlining her concerns. She also contacted the investigator multiple times, but never heard back.
“We were told as survivors we were going to be given an opportunity for our voices to be heard, but we did not know that only some of our voices were going to be heard,” said the woman. “So I think at the beginning, that created a huge lack of trust in the entire process itself.”
Some employees also felt pessimistic about the investigation because director of operations Mike Gerrand was initially put on leave on Aug. 4, but then staff were subsequently notified Sept. 14 that he would resume his duties. At the time, Cruickshank explained to the Leader-post that Gerrand was temporarily on leave “a precaution to himself and the agency.”
An email addressed to staff said Gerrand would attend “healthy workplace and communication” training.
Current and former employees recently wrote a letter to management outlining their concerns and 12 calls to action, including a call to remove Gerrand from the organization. One employee, who did not wish to be identified for fear of repercussions, contended Gerrand's return to the workplace before the investigation was complete was inappropriate.
“I'm not saying that the allegations against him are 100 per cent true, but the fact that there are allegations against him and we're still having to work with him until it's proven true or not true, that really hurts individuals on the front lines. It really makes them question the ability for the leadership to make good decisions,” said the man.
Cruickshank said he evaluated the risk of bringing Gerrand back to work and determined it to be low. When Cruickshank learned there were concerns over Gerrand returning, the decision was made to limit his interactions. Cruickshank said management also went to “literally every team member” to try to understand the concerns.
“We made a commitment to accommodate any concerns and no one came forward requesting accommodations,” said Cruickshank in an email.
Other calls to action in the letter include the creation of a new board of directors and dissolving the CEO position and corporate structure of SCP. In its place, the employees said they wish to see the organization take on a co-operative non-profit model.
The employee is also concerned that the current process SCP is undergoing is designed to protect those against whom complaints were levelled.
He took issue with the fact that SCP has not released a public apology, and that former CEO Kim Sutherland was allowed to retire and give parting words in a news release issued by SCP.
“This is a process designed to give the alleged abusers golden parachutes so that they can land softly, they can take full credit for the good work they've done, and not have to acknowledge for a second or face any sort of repercussions for the harm that they caused, potentially,” said the man.
Cruickshank said the board is still waiting for the results of the investigation, and explained Sutherland's retirement was meant to give clarity to those who were concerned if he would return.
As for questions on the integrity of the investigation and worries over whether its findings will lead to change, Cruickshank feels the board sincerely wants to use the investigation to better SCP.
This is a process designed to give the alleged abusers golden parachutes so that they can land softly.
“We are prepared to do the work that comes from the investigation,” said Cruickshank.
During the summer, SCP'S then executive director Dustin Browne resigned and apologized on social media after allegations of sexual harassment appeared on the Survivors' Stories Instagram page. Sutherland was later put on leave after further complaints were received by SCP. SCP has never offered details on the nature of the allegations against Sutherland, but have said it involved claims of a toxic work environment.
The man said the employees are not interested in tearing down the organization, but want it to be improved.
“This is about saying if we're going to provide care for these kids, then we have to do it properly. And if we're exploiting our staff, then we're not doing it properly, because the staff take care of the kids,” said the man.