Lori Trahan Campaign Denounces Epidemic of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, Announces Sexual Harassment Policy
December 11, 2017 – Today, Lori Trahan’s campaign issued the following statement, in addition to announcing the adoption of a sexual harassment policy for all campaign staff.
“We are experiencing an epidemic around sexual harassment in the workplace – whether that be in business, media, entertainment or, as we are seeing recently, the halls of government. Virtually no industry appears to be spared. With each passing day, brave women – and men – are coming out of the shadows and into view to expose their perpetrators who have abused their power in ways that sicken me and countless others.
“I applaud women like Rep. Jackie Speier of California for sharing her experience, and for the many female Senators who are demanding change around how the Senate deals with sexual harassment. We simply have to put an end to the gross imbalance of power in which the burden is placed on women to hold their perpetrators accountable, while powerful men settle claims in back rooms with “hush money,” create impediments to justice such as 90-day waiting periods to report an incident, and literally threaten women’s lives and livelihoods. Enough.
“As the owner of a women-led business and someone who has worked with companies both large and small, I believe it is vital for organizations to have in place a sexual harassment policy that mandates zero tolerance around sexual harassment or discrimination of any kind. I have long had such a policy in place at my company, and have adopted one for my campaign.
“But policies alone are not going to change cultural norms which need to shift in order for women to be fully valued for all that they bring to the workplace. Women make up 51% of the population in this country and yet only 19% of the Congress is female. I want to keep this seat in the hands of a women and intend to bang on the table to ensure we do not lose ground on hard-fought rights, including affordable healthcare, equal pay for equal work, paid sick leave, and a woman’s right to choose. And I will always fight for your right to safety and dignity at work, at home, and any place in between.”
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Eileen O’Connor
Eileen@loritrahan.com
Cell: 617-806-6999