Linden Town Week Pageant in Limbo after sexual harassment scandal

Apr 11, 2018 News

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…Town Council, AFC issue statements

The much anticipated Miss Linden Pageant which is one of the more popular events of the Linden Town Week remains in limbo as organizers mull the way forward following allegations on social media, of sexual misconduct . At the centre of the allegations is a prominent Linden businessman and one of the contestants.
The young lady involved, who reportedly spurned the man’s inappropriate sexual advances, has quit according to informed sources.
According to reports, the young woman, and two others were taken to the man’s home to seek sponsorship when the incident occurred. The issue is engaging the attention of police in Linden.
Pageant Co-ordinator Crystal Lam has said that a position on the way forward is yet to be determined, with a meeting slated to deal with the matter.
The Linden Town Week is being coordinated by the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC). In a press release, the council expressed its concern, over the issue. It said that it deeply regrets the occurrence of such an incident, which is tarnishing the image and integrity of pageantry and the municipality.
According to the statement, the young lady has been assaulted allegedly by a businessman in the community. It stated that contrary to the sensationalism displayed in these reports regarding the ostensible polarization of the LMTC on this issue, the Mayor would like to make it unequivocally clear that aiding or abetting any activity or set of activities and behaviours that are demeaning to women or any other individual or group of individuals is incompatible with the Council ideals.
“You would appreciate, that it is strictly a matter of procedure, especially in sensitive cases like this one, where the Council conducts its independent investigation of the issue so that when a report is published, it is with information that we would have gathered for verification.”
As such, no staff was permitted to divulge unverified information, especially since, in our opinion, on a matter of this nature it was likely to become sub-judice and the comment interferes with the investigation.
It was further noted that from the independent investigation, the Mayor has seen irrefutable evidence that an incident occurred on March 3, 2018. The said matter was settled between the parties involved on March 6, 2018.
“It was on March 16, 2018, that the issue was brought to the attention of the Mayor by Councillor Sears but the Mayor was informed that the matter was with the police.”
Subsequently, on Sunday April 1, 2018, the issue was brought again to the Mayor’s attention stating that the matter was not settled.
“The Council immediately called for an investigation and visited the Co-ordinator Ms. Lam, who provided some information. A meeting was then scheduled with the victim. However, the Mayor was later informed by Ms. Lam that the young woman does not wish to further the issue.
On this premise, the Council would have subsequently met with the victim on April 5, 2018, and the minutes of that meeting was taken.
The Council subsequently met with the trainer, a Ms.Talbot, who indicated that she had no comment to make on the issue since there was a signed document, prohibiting any further discussion on the matter.
The release further indicated that contrary to stated opinion, the Mayor did not in any way attempt to trivialize the issue or to sweep anything under the carpet. It indicated that in light of Ms. Talbot’s previous statement with respect to the signed document and her refusal to comment, there was no need for the Mayor to caution her to be silent.
According to the release, the allegation is a ‘malicious, fallacious’ attempt to deliberately tarnish the Office of the Mayor, and the Mayor is therefore advising Ms. Talbot that since they had no prior telephone conversation that she makes a public statement to correct the fabricated information.
“The Council stands resolute in its position against any sexual misconduct, sexual abuse or harassment and will advocate for justice if the individuals involved are found culpable.
The Mayor, (who took office on April 1, 2018) would like to assure the people of Linden of her commitment to the advancement of the interest of specifically women and girls and the community of Linden in general’, the release stated.
A release from the Alliance For Change (AFC) stated that the party is aware of a social media post regarding an alleged incident, which took place in Linden some time ago and in which a member of the party’s Region 10 Regional Management Committee has been named.
The party said that it is also aware of a statement issued by the Linden Mayor and Town Council on the matter.
It said that the party leadership has communicated with the named member and that an investigation into the matter will be done, and it will act in accordance with the findings.
“The AFC reiterates its strong revulsion of any mistreatment of females and will take appropriate action should any misconduct in this, or any other regard, be proven.”

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