Spectator investigation ‘disturbing and liberating’
Months-long probe into allegations made against Manny Ferreira elicits calls, emails and an overwhelming social media response
More women want to talk about chef Manny Ferreira.
Some worked for him. Others were customers in his restaurants.
More than a dozen women — plus a few men — reached out directly to me after The Spectator published a 6,000-word investigation last week into allegations of sexual harassment and sexual violence involving Ferreira.
The piece included interviews with eight women and men who made allegations that range from Ferreira slapping them on the buttocks, to sending an unwanted video of himself masturbating, to grabbing a woman’s crotch, exposing himself and having sexual intercourse with a woman who says she told him “No.”
Their stories have inspired a new wave of allegations about the former “Chopped Canada” winner and his behaviour at his restaurants Mezcal and Uno Mas on James Street South.
Ferreira is not facing any charges, although Hamilton police issued a news release citing The Spectator’s
investigation and encouraging survivors to report to the Sexual Assault Unit.
In response to an interview request from The Spectator, Ferreira’s lawyer, Peter Boushy, said in an email that he has advised his client “not to respond to any media inquiries concerning any and all allegations.”
He calls the allegations “shocking” and refers to an earlier statement made to The Spectator in which Ferreira denies all allegations against him.
Many of those contacting The Spec with stories about Ferreira say that for the first time, they feel they will be believed. They say they now believe they are not the only victims and it wasn’t their fault. They say they want to lend their voices to a call for justice.
“I found this article both deeply disturbing and liberating,” wrote one woman who says she worked for Ferreira and alleges she was harassed and threatened by him.
“Just wanted to come forth and say that I too experienced what many of these other women describe in regards to Manny’s behaviour,” another woman writes. “I truly sympathize with all the women.”
Others say they were not directly targeted by Ferreira, but witnessed what he allegedly did to others. They want to speak out to corroborate the stories already made public by The Spectator.
I have reached out to all these people and will be doing interviews in the days to come.
Other messages are from women who say Ferreira is not the only bar or restaurant owner in Hamilton who allegedly preyed on women. They name names and want to expose what they see as a toxic culture among some businesses in the Hamilton hospitality and food industry.
“This is about a male dominated industry,” says one woman who has worked in it for 40 years. “Add alcohol and young women and it’s a recipe for sexual exploitation, misconduct, harassment and abuse.”
“This behaviour in the industry needs to end,” writes another woman.
From another: “I am saddened but also a bit relieved that multiple people are coming forward. It’s a strange feeling, but it helps to know that I’m not the only one. I have kept quiet about this for years.”
Some who want to speak up are owners of businesses within that industry.
I have reached out to these people and will be doing interviews.
Then there are the many, many readers who have no stories of their own but want to thank The Spectator for shining a light on a problem that is deeply disturbing. This is why local journalism matters, they say.
To them, I say thank you. These are all messages sent to my inbox.
On social media, the response is even greater. My Twitter feed has blown up with people asking to speak with me or sharing bits of their own experiences.
New accounts have sprung up to discuss my story and have become platforms for survivors to share their experiences. One, launched less than a week ago on Instagram, has more than 5,000 followers.
This is the start of an important, courageous, uncomfortable and long overdue conversation.
And it is getting louder every day.
Report to the Sexual Assault Unit at 905-540-5553 or online at hamiltonpolice.on.ca.
SACHA (Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton and Area): 905525-4162
McMaster University Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office: svpro@mcmaster.ca
SAVIS (Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services of Halton): 905-875-1555