'Frightening' threats gender-based, says Liberal candidate
After receiving threats, a Liberal candidate in Riverview says she's being targeted because of her gender .
Tammy Rampersaud says the threats have come in person and on paper and are all negative toward women.
A note left on her patio door contained one derogatory word for women and a second, longer note left at her campaign office also focused on the fact she's a woman, says Rampersaud.
The threats are "disturbing, frustrating and frightening, too" says Rampersaud.
"The note, especially on our property, at the back door was scary," said Rampersaud. "I was the one, fortunately, to find that note, but you know, my kids live there, so that's really scary."
Rampersaud says in a separate incident, an individual in a truck approached her, warning that she's playing a "man's game."
Some of her campaign signs have also been dismantled with power tools.
"I do believe that it's some sort of intimidation tactic and it's been geared towards being a female running seen as something negative," said Rampersaud.
"When those attacks become extremely sexualized, when they are very graphic, when they are focused on this individual candidate as a woman, that becomes extremely problematic," says Joanna Everitt, political science professor at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John.
In cases like these, the individuals responsible need to be apprehended, so people don't get the impression that the behaviour is acceptable, she says.
Rampersaud says she's filed a complaint with the police.
