*Siren* Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 I was recently the victim of sexual harassment at the hands of a US Customs officer and I think that something must be done about this. I'm afraid that if I come forward with my story and either file a formal complaint or pursue legal action that I will have a target on my back if I try to cross the border again, but this officer really needs to be brought to justice. Nobody else should have to go through what I went through. Any advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitsMcGee Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 You should be able to file a complaint, which you can do online so at least you don't have to go down there. Unfortunatly you can't do it anonymously. Here is the link you need to go to the file the it:https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/175/kw/complaint I really don't think that anyone will take anything out on you, because the regular agents wouldn't have access to your name, just the upper management. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candyman Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 Well, sorry if it sounds like prying but what happened? With the regulations that Customs officials fall under it might be tough to make a case depending on the situation. If you get him word won't spread to everyone and they won't have your picture so you really don't need to worry about backlash because if he gets busted he is gone...but you need to make sure you have a case first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat (1) Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 Call Fox 2 problem solver's and have them do an investigation on this person or try and file something anonymously, Or, call the Detroit News or Detroit Free Press.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat (1) Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 Here is a link I found for a local woman's organization: My link Here is another very good resource that may be able to answer your question and give you the best advice: My link This sick, abuse of power within the system is out of control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prick Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 I agree with Kat and yes do something. Ledt that ass sweat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Siren* Posted April 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 I arrived at the tunnel early Saturday afternoon. It was really backed up and it looked like 90% of the vehicles were getting pulled in, so I wasn't particularly surprised when the woman at the booth pulled me over. I've had random inspections before and it is generally no big deal. They ask you a few simple questions, check your car and send you on your way after a relatively minor delay. This time was very different. I entered the building, where everyone was packed in like sardines. After about ten minutes I was called up to the desk by a male officer. The male officer was polite, courteous and treated me with respect while he questioned me. By this time, the female officer that pulled me in had been relieved at her booth and was now sitting two seats away from the male officer, eavesdropping. It seemed to really piss her off to hear him treating me like a human being with rights and she came over in a huff. She began interrupting him and making some rather disgusting comments to me. She started asking some intrusive questions about my underwear, told me that she pulled me over because I had a short skirt in my overnight bag (I told her I was going to a bar during our conversation at the booth...duh) and accused me of being "a stripper" even though I already told her that I worked in a doctor's office. I even had a pay stub in my purse. As she leaned over the counter berating me for a long period of time, the male officer made several attempts to diffuse the situation, but nothing could stop this woman. She continued to attempt to intimidate and humiliate me. This was her sole purpose, harassment. She wouldn't let the poor guy do his job and at one point he even apologized to me! You know there is something wrong when another officer seemed appalled by her behavior. He didn't come right out and say so, but it was pretty obvious. He knew that she had crossed the line. Even though I was able to pretend to be calm, smile and be polite (even to the hag) throughout the ordeal, I was actually pretty shaken up. As soon as I got out of there, I broke down crying and had a major anxiety attack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Invictus Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 You should absolutely file a complaint about the individual in question. Complaints are generally taken very seriously when deciding who will/will not be receiving promotions so even if they don't take any direct corrective action any complaint will follow the officer in question for the rest of their career. However, having a web form to file complaints seems a bit too convenient to me, and I feel that a physical paper trail would have a much more productive result. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Bar Sinister Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 It's highly unlikely that this is the 1st time this particular douchebaguette pulled something like this, *Siren*. If you don't do something, it almost certainly won't be the last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Siren* Posted April 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 If I file a complaint, I will most likely have a target on my back if I cross the border again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat (1) Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 (edited) If I file a complaint, I will most likely have a target on my back if I cross the border again. I completely understand your concern....maybe you should contact an attorney and ask for free legal advice on this matter. It's a shame we have to go through panic and anxiety in order to defend our rights against a government official's abuse of power, in fear that they will turn on us, the citizen or make our life a living nightmare, but something like this can be traumatizing. please contact this agency they may be able to help you http://www.haven-oakland.org/. It is true that you may have a target on your back when you cross the border but that may be true whether you file the complaint or not....not only that, but I would hate to see you develop any kind of trauma reaction to this, sitting in silence is only going to increase the likelihood of you developing a PTSD reaction, such as having panic attacks every time you cross the border.. Edited April 12, 2011 by kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatRN05 Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 I'm sorry about what you went through. I seriously believe that you should file a formal complaint. The officer's behavior was not only unacceptable but unprofessional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Invictus Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 If I file a complaint, I will most likely have a target on my back if I cross the border again. Try contacting the michigan ACLU, they'll likely give you free advice about the matter since things like this are kind of their shtick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Siren* Posted April 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 I just emailed the ACLU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GothicSilencer Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 If I file a complaint, I will most likely have a target on my back if I cross the border again. This is a common misconception, but is completely false. Obviously, the male officer didn't approve and knew that she was out of line. File the damn complaint. You want to know why people get away with harassment (especially of the sexual kind)? Because the victims get scared that something will happen to them if they report. Which is bullshit. It's the same thing with child molestation. The kid thinks that they will be doing something wrong by telling on the molester. So, if you want to fade into obscurity and deal with the situation without actually doing something about it, fine. But you'll get no sympathy from me unless you stand up and do something about it. P.S.: The ACLU won't do a damn thing. You have to file a complaint with the actual organization involved. Even if you do not remember the officer's name, chances are she's already had a few flags raised and they'll know who you're talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryle Hira Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 I agree, file a formal complaint. You won't be pigeon holed at the check point after filing a complaint as candyman and TitMcGee stated above "...the regular agents wouldn't have access to your name, just the upper management..." Who you will more than likely never have to deal with. The complaints are used for internal performance reviews unless the complaint is in direct violation of the law. Were you able to get either officers name, the more specific you can be about date time and personel involved in the situation the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Siren* Posted April 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 I filed a formal complaint this afternoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torn asunder Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 I filed a formal complaint this afternoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Siren* Posted April 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2011 Thanks for the advice and support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Siren* Posted April 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2011 Two weeks and no response yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destroit Posted April 26, 2011 Report Share Posted April 26, 2011 Two weeks and no response yet. If you contacted the Canadian government, this would worry me. If you contacted us, then this sounds about right. If you contacted the Canadian government, this would worry me. If you contacted us, then this sounds about right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EAF (1) Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 I'm sorry this happened...what a pain in the ass and how mean of her to be such a bitch about this. What I love is she accuses you of being a stripper when in reality that wouldn't even mean anything! Sounds like she was jealous, had a bad day, and took it out on you. I agree it was definitely harassment. *HUG* The only thing I guess I would add is if you were able to remember either of their names I would have added those to the complaint as well. Who knows maybe your not the first person who has filed a complaint on her behavior? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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