Laws must change, politician says after N.L. man acquitted of ‘FHITP’ slur
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — A Newfoundland politician is hoping to change provincial harassment laws following the acquittal of a man who hurled sexual obscenities at a female TV reporter in St. John’s.
Cathy Bennett says laws on workplace sexual harassment are badly outdated.
On Tuesday, provincial court Judge Colin Flynn dismissed a single charge against 28-year-old Justin Penton for causing a public disturbance.
Penton acknowledged he yelled a phrase commonly abbreviated to FHITP at NTV reporter Heather Gillis last April as she taped an interview outside the St. John’s dump.