What can you do if it’s the police who are harassing you and causing you distress? Jade Naraine knows firsthand what it feels like to be in this position. She was harassed for years.
Jade was the first woman in Canadian history to have her charter-protected mobility rights breached by Passport Canada, based on findings by a Federal Court Judge, who couldn’t find any other cases like it, which resulted in a four-year, expensive, emotionally draining battle with law enforcement.
Jade is an accomplished singer, writer, and instrumentalist.
In 2015, a pop single to radio called “Cause I Can’t Take Missing, which made the top 70 on media base in the USA, peaking at just 7 spots below Taylor Swift’s Wildest Dreams, was released. Shortly after that, she released a self titled pop EP; titled Jade.
After the release of “Jade”, Jade hit a career halt due to a Toronto Police officer who refused to give her Passport back to her in 2015, without lawful authority, which caused her interference in her ability to pursue her career, but she still kept focused on honing her craft. In 2019, Jade released more singles; including “Back to my Dream” – that pokes fun at herself and “Country Music Took Me Back” – about learning life lessons – after a severe life changing event, where she was subject to a sexual assault, impacted her emotional ability to pursue a career in Country music for a short time. She’s had her fair share of adversity, but Country music became her saving grace.
Jade says:
Police abuse can be extremely traumatic, because they are in positions of extreme power, and can take away your freedom. No one should have to fear the police. It can be traumatizing and cause PTSD.
Here are Jade’s five tips for victims of police harassment:
1. Individuals should file a civil claim or retain a lawyer to file a civil claim on their behalf. Gather all evidence regardless of how insignificant it is.
2. Talk to the media. Get your story out to as many people as possible. Raising awareness of your situation can not only empower others to come forward with their stories of injustice but may bring about a faster conclusion to your own battle.
3. Talk to a therapist or trauma counselor. PTSD and Depression can have a devastating impact on your life and there’s no telling when it begins or when it will end. Doing anything to improve your mental health can put you in a better position to think clearly.
4. File a complaint with your local police conduct review board. Putting your story on the public record can maximize your chances of getting justice. If it decided that the police officer did indeed break laws through their treatment of you, it will be noted on their record.
5. Follow procedures and be nice. This can be hard to do especially if you feel anger and outrage. However, being cordial and considerate can go a long way. Being antagonistic may give law enforcement more reasons to make your life miserable or make your report filing much more difficult.
About Pretty and the Liars
Pretty and the Liars is based on the upcoming True Story movie and book of the life of Canadian Country Singer-Songwriter; Jade Elizabeth Naraine, between 2014-2020. Pretty and the Liars is the true story movie about the issues she faced by the Toronto Police, men, and professionals.(No release date as of yet)
Website: https://www.prettyandtheliars.com/