Professor Comments On Struthers Allegations

A number of women have come forward alleging former NDP Cabinet Minister Stan Struthers of sexual misconduct.

It's something Brandon University Political Science Professor Kelly Saunders isn't surprised accusations like this are happening in Manitoba.

Kelly Saunders"Certainly, I don't think any jurisdiction, level of politics, or, indeed, any political party, is immune to the kinds of issues the Me Too movement is raising," she says, "We often say this is the dirty little secret in politics, in the sense that sexual harassment occurs on a frequent basis. And so, it's much more of an endemic problem, and more of a systematic problem than I think people are realizing."

Saunders believes we'll see similar accusations, noting we should all be held to account for our actions.

"Especially people in the public eye," she says, "If you go into public service, that's an honour, that's a privilege, and you should be held to a higher standard. And people need to clean up their act - men and women - we need to think before we speak, we need to think before we act, and if this is forcing us to maybe be a little bit more temperate in our actions, and a little more thoughtful, and a little mire respectful, then that's a good thing."