Statement By NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

Hollywood producer and sexual predator Harvey Weinstein’s surrender to police on rape and sexual assault charges brings a tremendous sense of relief to women who need to know that law enforcement responds when they speak truth to power. Finally, the brave women who have come forward to name their abuser and share their personal stories – many of which were painful and graphic to recount – are being taken at their word. We continue to move one step closer to demanding justice for all survivors.

Enough is enough. Those who have launched the momentum of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have shown we are done protecting men who abuse their positions of power and we will not stop until this violent behavior is no longer tolerated in our society. We need to continue to listen to all women – whether they are Hollywood celebrities or domestic workers – who make the courageous decision to share their stories. The culture of silencing survivors is coming to an end.

Contact

Dee Donavanik, press@now.org, 951-547-1241

Statement By NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

The overhaul of Congress’ sexual harassment rules passed by the Senate is a good step in the right direction, but it leaves serious shortcomings that must be addressed in conference.

The Senate bill undermines the critical reform included in the House version that provides legal counsel to victims of sexual harassment. The Senate version explicitly prohibits the Congress’ legal advisor from providing legal advice once an individual has filed a claim, and imposes artificial time limits within which a staffer can file a complaint, among other flaws.

The Senate even goes so far as to use the phrase “unwelcome harassment.” Memo to lawmakers: harassment is never welcome.

There is much that the Senate bill gets right, and NOW congratulates legislators such as Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) for their leadership and diligence on this urgent issue. Women know that meaningful change takes time, and we’ll remain engaged, focused and determined to bring about the change that is so needed, and so overdue.

Contact

Dee Donavanik, press@now.org, 951-547-1241

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

In a decision written by Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that employers can force workers into agreeing to mandatory arbitration when their bosses break the law. The 5-4 ruling in Epic Systems v. Lewis lets corporations off the hook by denying employees their day in court when they are victimized by wrongdoing in the workplace.

This is just the kind of secrecy that has insulated, enabled and protected men like Roger Ailes, Harvey Weinstein and multiple members of Congress. This ruling is the beginning of a series of cases in which deep pocketed corporate interests have been moving up through the courts now that Gorsuch, the deciding vote in this case, is on the bench.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, mandatory arbitration prevents nearly 30 million women from suing their employers over harassment. Attorney Debra Katz says,

“The confidential arbitration process is uniquely ill-suited to prevent and remedy sexual harassment, favoring employers and the harassers they protect. The proceedings prevent potential witnesses from learning of claims and coming forward to testify on behalf of victims or to join group actions.”

Congress must act to protect workers from predatory employers, sexual harassers and abusers. We need laws that help women stand together to fight sexual harassment in the workplace—instead of forcing them into the shadows.

Contact

Dee Donavanik, press@now.org, 951-547-1241