The BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union says a BC Ferries crew member reported being sexually assaulted on the Coastal Celebration on Tuesday.
The incident was reported at around 8 p.m. on Oct. 22.
“The assault was serious enough that RCMP were called,” Kevin Hall, labour relations officer for the BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union, said.
Hall said the employee is not physically injured but is traumatized. He added that BC Ferries did everything right following the report of an assault.
Delta Police did confirm that they responded to a complaint at the Tsawwassen terminal on Tuesday evening and a man was arrested on an outstanding arrest from another police agency. Police said they wouldn’t comment on the nature of the complaint as the matter is under investigation.
“Our hopes would be once the facts are gathered and the investigation is complete that whatever actions are appropriate are taken against the assailant,” Hall said.
According to Hall, over the past month, police have been asked to attend or investigate other assault situations involving BC Ferries workers.
“This would certainly be on the extreme end of the spectrum of assault that we would experience but not isolated at all,” Hall said.
BC Ferries’ Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Corrine Storey issued the following statement following the reported sexual assault incident:
“We can confirm there have been some incidents lately. We take every report seriously. BC Ferries has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse of its employees,” Storey said.
“We are committed to providing our employees and our customers a safe and respectful environment. The vast majority of our customers treat our employees courteously. Abusive conduct or comments, or behaviours that put our employees or the public at risk, are not tolerated and can result in a travel ban. BC Ferries’ employees have the right to a work environment that is respectful and free from harassment or harm. The company is committed to prevention of violence in the workplace. To protect the health, safety, security and comfort of its passengers and crew, BC Ferries reserves the right to refuse passage.
We do have security onboard our vessels as needed, and we contact police whenever we require their assistance.”
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