Dawson College theatre profs say they support students who made allegations against Winston Sutton

Faculty members at Dawson College's professional theatre program have issued a statement supporting former students who came forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Winston Sutton, a longtime teacher.

"We wish to acknowledge the survivors who have spoken out so courageously and shared their stories," said the post, which was signed "The Faculty (teachers) of the Professional Theatre Department."

"We hear you. We support you. These stories are heartbreaking, and obviously took an enormous amount of bravery to share," the post continued.

At least three former students have accused Winston Sutton of grooming them emotionally and, in two cases, of sexually harassing them. 

He also began an affair with one of the women within a week of her graduation in 2010.

Sutton is not working while Dawson College investigates the allegations but his name still appears as part the theatre faculty on the college's website. 

He was set to direct two plays later this year.

Sutton was previously suspended in 2017 when more than a dozen former students accused him of bullying and harassment. After an investigation, he returned to his post the following semester.

The statement from Sutton's fellow professor appears to indicate they believe the allegations against him are true.

"We are devastated by what these students have experienced. We are so sorry this happened. We need to do better, and we will do better. As a faculty, and as individuals," the statement said.

It goes on to say the faculty will come up with an action plan to ensure nothing like this ever happens to any other student.

Complainants say statement doesn't go far enough

The complainants had mixed feelings about the statement.

Grace Gordon, a former student, received an explicit email about masturbation from Sutton at the end of her second year in 2011.

"I think this is a step in the right direction which does warm my heart, but at the same time it's still not quite enough,"  Gordon said Wednesday.

"I do wonder why it's taken so long since stories have been coming out since 2017. There was still no real taking responsibility for what happened to us while we were in school," Gordon continued.

"They are acknowledging that there was pain caused. They are acknowledging hurt," Kayleigh Choiniere, a former student who's been spearheading the complaints against Sutton, also told CBC.

"But they're not taking accountability or responsibility for that, or for the environment that was created or for enabling that to happen or for silencing us."

Widespread support for complainants

Montreal's broader theatre community has also been supportive, with words of encouragement posted online by several theatre and production companies, the actors union ACTRA, and the Quebec Drama Federation.

Black Theatre Workshop, which in 2017 presented Sutton with its Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award for his contributions to Black theatre, posted a statement online Tuesday.

"Black Theatre Workshop stands in solidarity with the brave survivors who came forward demanding positive change," the statement said.

"We are sorry that you had to make your trauma public in order to seek justice. We hear you, we see you, we are with you," it continued.

Investigation continues

Sutton hasn't responded to repeated requests for comment.

Dawson College has said it will make its decision about Sutton's future public once its investigation is complete.

In a recent statement, Dawson's director general, Richard Filion, said Sutton has not taught at the school since Aug. 31, the first day of the fall semester. 

"Dawson College wishes to reaffirm our values of respect and well-being for all and our commitment to academic integrity," he said.