Susan Clairmont: Hamilton police respond to Spectator story about sexual misconduct allegations against restaurant owner

Their voices are being heard.

These are the voices of women - and men - who allege they have been harassed, sexually harassed and sexually assaulted by well-known Hamilton chef and former Chopped Canada" winner Manny Ferreira.

I heard them, over eight months of difficult interviews, anxious text messages and many, many phone calls.

The public has now heard them. The Spectator published my lengthy investigative report about the accusations on thespec.com Wednesday morning. (The story will be published in Saturday's edition of the newspaper.)

Then - on the same day the story came out - the Hamilton Police Service announced it has heard their voices.

In an unusual move, the police issued a media release referencing The Spectator's work and encouraging survivors to contact detectives.

We want them to come forward to report," Det. Sgt. Tammi Ewart of the Sexual Assault Unit told The Spec in an interview. I really, really hope that they can come forward."

The unit is working hard to build trust" in the community and to always do better for survivors," she said.

The news release was a reaction to not only The Spectator story regarding Ferreira, but also about another piece I wrote recently about one of his friends, Jesse Chiavaroli. He is a former Hamilton nightclub owner who is under investigation by police in Victoria, B.C., after more than a dozen women in that community and in Hamilton alleged they are victims of his sexual violence.

The Spectator has reached out to Ferreira several times in the past for comment. His lawyer responded with a statement saying Ferreira denies all the allegations against him, which range from slapping butts to grabbing a woman's crotch, sending an unwanted video of himself masturbating to an employee, exposing himself to a customer in his restaurant and having intercourse with a woman who says she told him No."

The Spectator's repeated attempts to reach Chiavaroli have been unsuccessful.

The news release says police are aware of the information outlined in recent Hamilton Spectator articles regarding sexual violence involving individuals linked to local Hamilton restaurants and bars. We encourage all survivors to report these crimes."

Ferreira owns Mezcal, a taco and tequila restaurant on James Street South, along with Uno Mas, a tapas and cocktails lounge in the same building.

Chiavaroli either owned or operated Trust, Ora and Heist nightclubs in Hess Village before they shut down.

Together Ferreira and Chiavaroli owned the now defunct baroque club on John Street South.

I spoke with 13 women and men about Ferreira. Eight of those people agreed to be in the story I wrote. Some were willing to be named, others were not. They included former staff, customers and ex-girlfriends.

I can't overstate how difficult the entire process was for all of those involved. They struggled with their decisions. They feared retaliation and the shame and blame that they might face for speaking out.

But they wanted to be heard. And they wanted to prevent anyone else from being affected.

None of those 13 people have reported Ferreira to police. He faces no charges.

Several people I interviewed talked about their mistrust of police.

Ewart knows that. And she understands the reasons why some survivors choose not to report.

We want all survivors of sexual violence to know that we believe them," the police news release says, and we will respect their choice in when they report an incident, where and how."

Shortly after the article about Ferreira was posted, I got a text from one of the women I interviewed. She, more than anyone, had agonized over whether she wanted to tell me her story or not.

Thank you," she wrote. You have given us all a voice."

Report to the Sexual Assault Unit at 905-540-5553 or online at www.hamiltonpolice.on.ca.

SACHA (Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton and Area): 905-525-4162

McMaster University Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office: svpro@mcmaster.ca

SAVIS (Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services of Halton): 905-875-1555

Susan Clairmont is a Hamilton-based crime, court and social justice columnist at The Spectator. Reach her via email: sclairmont@thespec.com