As the one-year anniversary of the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault and harassment allegations approaches, the bipartisan Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues recently held a hearing about sexual harassment entitled, “#MeToo, What’s Next? Turning a Movement into Action.”
Brooks
Caucus members heard from leaders from a number of industries to discuss ways to promote respect and dignity in the workplace, and ultimately to find innovative and creative solutions to the problem of workplace harassment.
The hearing was hosted by Reps. Susan Brooks (R-Ind.), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues; Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues; Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.), Vice Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues; Mimi Walters (R-Calif.), Vice Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues; Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) and Jackie Speier (D-Calif.).
“Regardless of whether harassment comes from a coworker, manager or customer, it is always unacceptable and should never be tolerated,” said Brooks. “Congress is no exception. It is critical that we work together, whether in the public or private sectors, in every industry, to find innovative, creative and ultimately effective solutions so that every workplace is a safe environment and is free from harassment of any kind. This hearing highlighted how Congress can help foster safer workplaces throughout our country, even within the halls of Congress, so that men and women can comfortably work without the fear of facing inappropriate behavior. I’d like to thank all of our panelists for their passionate work on these issues and for sharing their concrete ideas on how to combat and reduce sexual harassment in the workplace.”
“Women, like men, go to work to take care of their families,” said Frankel. “Sexual harassment is a real economic issue and a big factor that’s holding women back from opportunities and advancing in their careers. We heard the wisdom of our panelists on some solutions and I hope measures going through the House like reauthorizing VAWA, banning mandatory arbitration, boosting spending for the EEOC, and passing the EMPOWER Act will help create safer workplaces.”
This is the third hearing in a series of hearings on sexual harassment in the workplace. During the first hearing, the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues focused on sexual harassment in the service sector. During the second hearing, the Caucus heard from survivors of sexual harassment in fields where women are often outnumbered, as well as from other experts on the issue, to discuss ways to change the culture in the workplace.