Karen Hollis was awarded life membership of the Agility Dog Club of Victoria. She was a founding member of this club. She was a Club Instructor and served on Committee for 15 years, including 8 years as Club Secretary.  There was never any issue with her performance as a Club Instructor or as a long-standing Committee member.

In 2011, Karen raised her concerns about the manner in which she was being treated by one Committee member, on advice of Dogs Victoria. Unprofessional e-mails written by the perpetrator immediately ensued. Many of these emails were signed in the perpertrators capacity as a Club Officer and were sent from the Club's official email address.

Karen has wanted to happily train her dogs at this club which happens to be convenient to her. Instead of discussing this matter with Karen, which is an obligation of the Club,  Karen's life membership has refused to be recognised.

Karen has put a lot into this club over many years. She believes she should be able to participate in this sport.

Karen has not only been excluded from the club, she has been repeatedly called a "stalker" for attempting to resolve this problem. She has repeatedly asked to speak to Club representatives, this has in fact never occurred.

The fact remains Karen should have never been kept out of a Club that she devoted so much time to.  No woman should be subjected to bullying, victimisation and sexual harrassment. This is unfortunately what has occurred. It seems the club has not wanted to listen.

Karen has confirmed the correct process is to report this matter to the Club. Karen reported this matter but has never been consulted by any Club representative. Karen has also tried directing this matter to a higher authority, the matter was directed back to the Club who still will not take responsibility for this matter. Rather than seeking a resolution, the bullying and exclusion has infact been allowed to continue.

Being able to freely participate in a sport should be a concern for all women as should the right to report such matters. Karen has a voice but has never infact been heard.  This is actually her legal right.

Karen has received emails from the perpetrator repeatedly demanding her resignation as a life member, stating she will "never win this", claiming he and other members are "laughing" at her and "calling her names". He said he would "blacken her name" and then claimed this is a "lie". Rather than accepting responsibility for his own behaviour, he has repeatedly blamed Karen for this situation occuring. Karen has tried to communicate this is in no way acceptable of any officer or member of this Club.

A past President has said she should have remained "silent", not resigned from Committee and put up with this behaviour. He mentioned the person "won't change."  Minutes have been requested they were promised but never received.  Some correspondence has been suppressed restricting Committee's ability to make a fair and equitable decision when only select facts have been presented.  Committee has only ever spoken to one party., they have never requested evidence or even taken the time to speak to Karen.

Karen would like this matter to be finally heard so this behaviour never is permitted to occur in this club or affect other women again.

Other Club members are entitled to train their dogs. We ask the club to allow Karen to immediately train her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Morgan and Flynn.

This behaviour would never be allowed to occur in a school or a workplace. Bullying is not acceptable anywhere.

Karen has helped many people in many ways over the years. She has only ever asked to be treated with respect. This has never occurred.

Please sign and/or share this petition. We need as many signatures as possible as a means of communicating to the Club that this just isn't right. Karen desperately wants to return to what she loves doing which is simply spending time with her dogs. Sport is meant to be welcoming and inclusive. Karen does not want to be excluded from this or any club. 

Karen has been isolated from her friends. This problem has impacted on her health and other aspects of her life.

Karen never wanted to be sexually harrassed anð  bullied. She just wants to be able to train her dog. She needs and would be highly appreciative of your support.