CHEK News anchor Kori Sidaway has publicly responded to a viewer who attempted to “shame and police” her body, sending a powerful message that has struck a chord with an international audience.
Sidaway, who anchors CHEK News’ weekend show, received an e-mail that claimed she was showing “too much cleavage.”
The viewer, who referred to themselves in the message as “Vancouver Island Cleavage Patrol,” targeted Sidaway and told her to “dress appropriately.”
Two pictures were attached to the e-mail that was sent to CHEK’s inbox: the first was a screenshot of Sidaway in the CHEK studio and the second, a seemingly stock photo of a woman’s torso (not Kori) that the viewer described as being “what we actually see.”
This screenshot was sent to me and my colleagues in an attempt to shame and police my body. Well, I’m taking my power back.
To the nameless computer warrior(s) who try to reduce women into an outfit or a body part — this generation of women, doesn’t stand for harassment👩🏼🤝👩🏻✌🏻 pic.twitter.com/fgGySbVTYy
— Kori Sidaway (@korisidaway) September 7, 2020
Instead of allowing this message to remain private, the talented CHEK anchor shared the e-mail and pictures over her social media accounts.
“I’m taking back my power,” reads a post from Sidaway.
“To the nameless computer warrior[s] who try to reduce women into an outfit or a body part — this generation of women, doesn’t stand for harassment.”
Her powerful message rippled across the internet, garnering responses from fellow anchors, reporters, industry experts, peers, and colleagues.
Her tweet has been liked over 5,000 times with hundreds of retweets and comments. Both women and men commented on her post, describing the viewer’s actions as repulsive, “disgusting” and “appalling.” Other female media members stood behind Sidaway’s initiative, sharing their own stories of similar incidents that have happened to them in the past as well.
In an Instagram post, Sidaway mentioned the fact that “unfortunately, this happens quite often to women in the public eye,” but she ultimately felt that this was one of the worst messages she has received.
In addition to an outpouring of support from multiple sources, Sidaway’s message has garnered international attention. Reporters stationed at media outlets across the globe such as People, Today and The Independent have picked up on Sidaway’s response and shared her story to expansive audiences – articles that have ushered similar responses of shock to the viewer’s distasteful words.
Following the overwhelmingly positive response she has received since posting on Sept. 7, Sidaway sent out a message of gratitude to the supportive community that has backed her.
“Thank you all for sharing your own stories & kind words. I feel so much less alone, so supported and so much more empowered. You helped take my lemon and made lemonade,” she said.
We’re incredibly proud to call this professional, inspiring, and wonderful anchor our colleague and, with that said, make sure you catch her on Saturdays and Sundays at 5 p.m. on CHEK News.
Graham Cox
