Sexual misconduct allegations rock statehouses

[DonViejo]

Last edited Sun Nov 5, 2017, 11:26 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: Politico



In state after state, officials are scrambling to deal with a deluge of disturbing revelations.

By NATASHA KORECKI, CARLA MARINUCCI and JIMMY VIELKIND 11/05/2017 07:19 AM EST

Statehouses from Boston to Sacramento have been rocked by an onslaught of sexual misconduct allegations, creating unprecedented pressure on state legislative leaders to take immediate action.

Amid a flood of recent testimonials from female legislators, staff and lobbyists, a portrait is fast emerging of male-dominated state capitol cultures rife with sexual harassment and bereft of protections for victims, where complaints from women frequently languish — or are outright ignored.

In Illinois alone, hundreds of women signed onto an open letter charging a pervasive predatory culture in the state capitol, prompting a public hearing that exposed a grossly neglected, nearly non-existent reporting system.

Already, one high-ranking Illinois lawmaker has been stripped of his leadership post — and mandatory training from an outside professional is likely to become legally required. An emergency meeting of an ethics commission is set for next week.



Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/05/sexual-misconduct-allegations-statehouses-244555

[dalton99a]

1. It's long overdue

[Honeycombe8]

2. I had no idea harassment was THIS rampant.

I knew it existed, of course. But not to this degree.

I've had problems outside of work, but I haven't had much AT work. Just being underpaid because I'm female.

[Igel]

9. It's rampant.

But not necessarily this rampant.

To point out why might offend the sensibilities of the believers. (And that, in itself, is a partial answer.)

[Honeycombe8]

13. So...maybe not?

So....maybe some are these are just "me, too" for the sake of it? To get their names in the news?

[LanternWaste]

16. One migjt perceive that as simply cowering behind implication.

"To point out why might offend the sensibilities of the believers..."

One might perceive that as simply cowering behind implication.

[Ptah]

3. Link:

https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/05/sexual-misconduct-allegations-statehouses-244555

[WheelWalker]

4. Remember the "Arab Spring"? I believe this will become known as the "Weinstein Fall".

[BumRushDaShow]

5. This has been going for centuries (with respect to this country)

And in every industry including government. It has been pervasive, insidious, and persistent. The EEOC put out a guidance document in 1990 that referenced recommendations that they had put together in 1980 that had been upheld in the 1986 SCOTUS case Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson.

In summary the document has the following -

<..>

This document provides guidance on defining sexual harassment and establishing employer liability in light of recent cases.

Section 703(a)(1) of Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a) provides:

It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer - -

... to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms conditions or privileges of employment, because of such individual's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin[.]

In 1980 the Commission issued guidelines declaring sexual harassment a violation of Section 703 of Title VII, establishing criteria for determining when unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment, defining the circumstances under which an employer may be held liable, and suggesting affirmative steps an employer should take to prevent sexual harassment. See Section 1604.11 of the Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Sex, 29 C.F.R. § 1604.11 ("Guidelines" ). The Commission has applied the Guidelines in its enforcement litigation, and many lower courts have relied on the Guidelines.

The issue of whether sexual harassment violates Title VII reached the Supreme Court in 1986 in Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson, 106 S. Ct. 2399, 40 EPD ¶ 36,159 (1986). The Court affirmed the basic premises of the Guidelines as well as the Commission's definition. The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on the following issues in light of the developing law after Vinson:

determining whether sexual conduct is "unwelcome";
evaluating evidence of harassment;
determining whether a work environment is sexually "hostile";
holding employers liable for sexual harassment by supervisors; and
evaluating preventive and remedial action taken in response to claims of sexual harassment.

I know that probably back that far as the 90s, as a fed, I had to take periodic and/or mandatory annual sexual harassment training. I.e., the feds jumped on it but apparently not many others (including state & local governments) did.

It seems bizarre that suddenly a "dam burst" and there are now some efforts to crack down on it, but I expect that eventually it'll "blow over" and will go back to business as usual, particularly because so many have done it for so long that it would decimate management across much of America.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

6. Emphasis in the story seems to be on blue states

While most state governments or saturated with Republicans

[Faux pas]

7. Kickin' for the truth!

[HAB911]

8. Code of silence is breaking on Tallahassees sex secrets

After a series of revelations and allegatons, Capitol insiders say a culture that has bred sexual misconduct could be vanishing.

For decades, sex has been a tool and a toy for the politically powerful in the male-dominated world of politics in Florida's capital. Now it's a weapon.

Allegations of sexual assault, harassment and infidelity among the state's legislators flew like shrapnel from a bomb blast in recent weeks, destroying much of the trust left in a Republican-controlled Legislature and replacing it with suspicion and finger pointing.

The latest target, Senate Appropriations Chair Jack Latvala, has been accused by six unnamed women of inappropriate touching and verbal harassment. Shortly after Politico Florida first reported the allegations on Friday, Senate President Joe Negron called them "atrocious and horrendous" and ordered an investigation.

Latvala, a Clearwater Republican and candidate for governor, denied the allegations, said he welcomed the investigation, and vowed a fight to "clear my name."

http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2017/11/05/code-of-silence-is-breaking-on-tallahassees-sex-secrets/

[freddyvh]

10. happened here in iowa

a woman was given a settlement of 1.75 million

and guess what?

a GOP leader said it was no big deal. that it happens all the time

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/kathie-obradovich/2017/09/28/senate-sex-harassment-republican-leader-state-government/709970001/

[7962]

11. I want every guilty party exposed.

I just hope we don't start to see false accusations appear. That would be a huge setback

[AllaN01Bear]

12. its been rampent for a very very very long time .

[IronLionZion]

14. Time for a major purge

Get these abusers out of there

[UpInArms]

15. Remember Anita Hill?

And that freak ISIS sitting on the US Supreme Court

😔

[pressbox69]

17. How can we forget.

still can't drink Coke out of a can.

[crazycatlady]

18. This is why we need more women in office

A record number have contacted Emily's List in the last year about running. Want more women in office? Donate to Emily's List.