Gillibrand to introduce bill to combat sexual harassment in Congress

[DonViejo]

Source: The Hill




BY JORDAIN CARNEY - 11/03/17 01:26 PM EDT

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said on Friday that she will introduce legislation aimed at combating sexual harassment around Capitol Hill as female lawmakers and staffers increasingly speak out about their own experiences.

"We must ensure that this institution handles complaints to create an environment where staffers can come forward if something happens to them without having to fear that it will ruin their careers," Gillibrand said in a statement.

She added that "you see time and again in institutions all around the country ... a culture where power and fear keep sexual assault and sexual harassment in the shadows. Congress is no different."

In addition to requiring that the Office of Compliance's voluntary sexual harassment training be mandatory, the forthcoming legislation — according to a breakdown from Gillibrand's office — would streamline the office's system for reporting sexual harassment and filing complaints, as well as create a new position "to serve as a confidential advisor for victims of harassment."

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/358652-gillibrand-to-introduce-bill-to-combat-sexual-harassment-in

[Angry Dragon]

1. about time

[keithbvadu2]

2. Congress plays by different rules on sexual harassment and misconduct

How Congress plays by different rules on sexual harassment and misconduct

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-congress-plays-by-different-rules-on-sexual-harassment-and-misconduct/2017/10/26/2b9a8412-b80c-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98_story.html?utm_term=.c2fad8a6a2d8&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1

If Whitehouse had chosen to pursue a complaint against the senator, she would have
discovered a process unlike other parts of the federal government or much of the private
sector. Her complaint likely would have been thrown out because interns have limited
harassment protections under the unique employment law that Congress applies to itself.

Congress makes its own rules about the handling of sexual complaints against members and
staff, passing laws exempting it from practices that apply to other employers.

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When settlements do occur, members do not pay them from their own office funds, a
requirement in other federal agencies. Instead, the confidential payments come out of a
special U.S. Treasury fund.

>>>>>>>>>> (more at the article)