'No longer anonymous': Woman who filed sex assault complaint against grand chief speaks out
CBC
The woman behind a sexual assault complaint against Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Arlen Dumas is speaking out for the first time after a letter of support signed by 200 people emerged this week.
Shauna Fontaine told CBC News on Wednesday that she is the one who filed the complaint against Dumas with the Winnipeg Police Service almost three months ago.
Neither police nor AMC have confirmed this to CBC News.
Police will not confirm complaints unless an incident number is provided, and even then will not confirm any of the individuals involved.
Fontaine said she was motivated to reveal her identity after the letter and AMC's response to it.
As someone who has worked in advocacy roles for victims of gender-based violence, Fontaine suggested one reason she hasn't told many people in her circle until now that she was the one to file the complaint is because she has felt a sense of shame and embarrassment.
"You're not believed when you do come forward, and there's a lot of victim blaming and shaming," said Fontaine.
"It's never the victim's fault. It was never my fault. It was really only at the hand of the perpetrator."
Dumas was suspended by AMC in mid-March after a woman who worked for the organization — now known to be Fontaine — accused him of harassment and sexual assault. AMC hired a third-party organization to investigate the allegations.
Dumas has not been charged and none of the allegations have been tested in court.
CBC News has requested comment from Dumas several times since March but has not received a response.
Among the 200 signatories on the letter out this week are lawyers, doctors, sitting federal and provincial politicians and advocates for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, including Sandra DeLaronde.
The letter calls on AMC to reconsider how the organization's response to the allegations is having an impact. DeLaronde and signatories said they want a independent inquiry and trauma-informed process that focuses on victims.
"We were trying to support the victims, but also provide that support to AMC as well," said DeLaronde.
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