by Lord Marie_Juana » Thu Nov 08, 2018 10:22 am
ROCKING THE EARTH: The sides of Miss Earth 2018’s sexual harassment controversy (PART 1)
They say there are always two sides to a controversy, but is there is only one truth. Yet, in a hodgepodge of ‘truths’ that seem to confuse the majority, how does one arrive at a stand and conviction that is not founded on bias or ignorance?
In the past few days, the elation of Vietnam’s first major pageant win via Miss Earth 2018 seemed to have been temporarily replaced with confusion, and at times, anger, with the claims made by Miss Earth Canada 2018 Jaime Yvonne Vandenberg about alleged sexual harassment she experienced during the pageant. Since then, two more candidates have backed her up. On the other hand, several other 2018 candidates have come up with their own statements refuting her claims. Even the team managers of Miss Earth have released statements. News agencies and sites have also picked up the issue, including CNN, which aired Miss Canada’s side.
In an aim to present a holistic perspective on the matter, Miss Earth Crown gathered not only the buzz, but also the facts, plus an exclusive interview with Miss Earth’s founder herself. Let us follow the controversy rocking the Earth and dividing the earth warriors.
MISS EARTH CANADA’s ACCOUNTS
Halfway through the pageant, Miss Earth fans were shocked when Jaime suddenly left, supposedly to return to Canada, with a promise that she will release a statement on the matter. And she did. On her Instagram account, she said that she “did not feel safe” under Miss Earth’s care for the following reasons:
First, a sponsor was given her personal number without her permission and that this person kept calling her and appearing in events, and “asked for sexual favors” in exchange of getting her “further in the pageant.” These advances, according to her happened even on other days.
Second, that the team managers simply “laughed” and told them “to be nice.” She said that on the same night, a few of them were given an opportunity to talk with Miss Lorraine Schuck, Miss Earth’s founder, but that she “went through almost two weeks of sexual harassment before anything was done about it.”
Third, Jamie also stated that she “advised Lorraine of several other issues that were not resolved.” Fourth, she claimed that the organization “confiscated” her passport on the first day and she felt like she “couldn’t leave.”
The last straw, according to her, was when the team managers “went into my room and took things from my luggage without permission.” At the end of her statement, she included the MeeToo hashtag that represents the worldwide movement of women against sexual harassment.
MISS LORRAINE SPEAKS UP
In an exclusive online chat interview with Miss Earth’s founder Ms. Lorraine Schuck, she answered Ms. Vandenberg allegations and other questions.
We asked Miss Lorraine when she found out about the incident, she said that she found out about it on October 14, much later than what Jamie claims that she talked to Miss Lorraine “that night,” the second night of the pre-pageant activities. But as soon as Ms. Lorraine found out, she said that she immediately reached out to her and assured her something will be done about it. The sponsor, who according to Ms. Lorraine, was not even a major sponsor and had no connection with the judges and only “sponsored food for the night,” was banned from all events without question. Upon knowing what happened, all the girls and even the police escorts were asked to “submit a report of any harassment they have encountered,” but that no claim has been submitted. Despite this, Ms. Lorraine said that she undoubtedly “sided with the girls” because they were “the ones talking to the sponsor” and dealing with them directly. Aside from all these, the team managers held an open forum with the girls to address any other issues. All of these were an effort to gather evidence, because, as Ms. Lorraine mentioned, “If there is evidence, the girls can sue the guy and I will support it.”
The safeguards for the girls was also extended until after the pageant. The supposed thanksgiving party was cancelled to prevent any other incident.
In this conversation, we also found out that the candidates were accompanied not only by their team managers but also by police officers who were their “in house security” and was with them “24/7.” Each group was assigned 3 police escorts. These escorts were added protection and the girls can immediately seek their help.
What baffled Ms. Lorraine, according to her, was during her phone conversation with Jamie, she got a “different reaction.” She instead “got angry about her food” and “started questioning about plastic bottled water” they were given during out of town tours, and that she also “started complaining about the treatment she gets from the TM (team manager).” To this, Ms. Lorraine said, “I ask(ed) her to write down what kind of vegetarian food she wants and give it to the TM, which she never did.”
Regarding the claim that Jamie’s passport was “confiscated” and she felt she “couldn’t leave, Ms. Lorraine said that it was not true. The girls are asked to “surrender their passports for safekeeping and smooth travels” and that they can “have it back anytime.” In a separate personal conversation with Ms. Lorraine, she said that all Jaime had to do was “sign a release waiver,” and she got her passport back. More on this later on.
… TO BE CONTINUED
UP NEXT: More on Ms. Lorraine's revelations, + team managers and other candidates speak up