Mohawk College investigating sexual harassment of CHCH news reporter

Mohawk College security is investigating after a CHCH news reporter was sexually harassed by students on campus this week.

Reporter Britt Dixon was doing a story on campus Tuesday when she was twice yelled at by men, “f — k her right in the p — y.” One happened while she was doing an interview and the other before she was about to go live on TV.

“With all of the sexual harassment complaints and the close attention being paid right now I am sad to say I was interviewing students at a college today & a male student yelled FHRITP behind me in the middle of an interview,” Dixon wrote on Twitter.

Mohawk College president Ron McKerlie called the incidents “deeply disappointing” and said he’s apologized to Dixon. Sexual harassment is a violation of the college’s student behaviour policy and punishment can result in expulsion, or at minimum would require an apology, he said in a statement.

“If you somehow believe it is acceptable or humorous to demean and sexually harass women then you are not welcome at Mohawk,” McKerlie said.

In an interview with the Spectator Dixon said she initially thought to brush off what had happened, but later thought it was important to talk about.

“Unfortunately it’s a situation as a reporter, because of how often (sexual harassment) happens, I’m almost numb to it,” she said.

It was Mohawk College that reached out to her and initiated the investigation. Dixon said she’s happy with how seriously the college is taking the incident. CHCH has shared video footage with Mohawk.

Yelling this particular lewd statement at female reports became a phenomenon in recent years following a popular online video. Police are not involved in any investigation. Anyone with information can call security at 905-5752003 or security@mohawkcollege.ca.