Shining a light in dark corners
A Spectator investigation reveals some disturbing stories
Media organizations serve many purposes, but among the most important is to give voice to those who may not otherwise be heard.
We do not always do this as well as we should, but Spectator columnist Susan Clairmont recently shined a light on some dark corners in the restaurant and nightclub business, and the shocking stories have given voice to some involved in it.
Clairmont’s explosive articles this week and last about some restaurant and bar owners in Hamilton, and the people who encounter them there, are disturbing. Already, the articles have generated an extraordinary call-out from Hamilton police urging alleged survivors of sexual abuse to come forward, and sparked a broader conversation among business owners and organizations.
The women and men who first agreed to speak to Clairmont went out on a limb. They were nervous, they were reticent, they were afraid and they were brave. Now, because of the recent articles this week and last, more are coming forward.
It will not be easy, but it will be easier than it was for those who came before them. They are all among those the community has to thank for bringing this to light.
It was not easy, either, for The Spectator, or for Clairmont, who worked on the investigation for eight months. We did not know if we would be able to publish these stories. Each one requires care and sensitivity and legal oversight. Each one requires those involved to consider the fallout — good, bad or indifferent. Each one forces us to ask why we should publish something, or why not?
We do not embark on any project lightly. But we cannot ignore anything either.
As usual, this project involved people’s lives and livelihoods. And while the stories cast a shadow on a particular industry, there is sexual abuse, bullying and bad behaviour across a broad spectrum of business, industry and government. Too often it goes unnoticed or, worse, unspoken.
Listening to the stories of those who are often ignored is what journalists do.
We listen, we investigate, we corroborate and we substantiate. Many stories are never published, for worse or for better.
Often, we are the point of last resort for those who feel abused by the system, by the powerless who feel taken advantage of by the powerful, by customers and taxpayers and the meek who seek justice, and whose voices are often wiser than we think.
When we can make quiet voices louder, shed light on places that are dark, tell stories that often don’t get told, we believe we are making our community better.