Judge Laura Safer Espinoza, Executive Director of the Fair Food Standards Council, joins panel of speakers at bipartisan hearing seeking solutions to sexual violence and harassment at work…
Last Wednesday, September 12th, the bipartisan Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues held a high profile hearing on the problem sexual harassment and assault in the workplace. Hosted by Representatives Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Lois Frankel (D-FL), the hearing was the third in a series on sexual harassment. Here is an excerpt from the Women’s Caucus’ press release announcing the hearing:
News Release
WASHINGTON, DC – As the one-year anniversary of the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault and harassment allegations approaches, the bipartisan Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues hosted a hearing about sexual harassment entitled, “#MeToo, What’s Next? Turning a Movement into Action.” 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-IN), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, Lois Frankel (D-FL), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Vice Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, Mimi Walters (R-CA), Vice Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, Barbara Comstock (R-VA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA).
“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.”
Judge Laura Safer Espinoza, the Executive Director of the Fair Food Standards Council, was invited to address the hearing, and to share insights from the Fair Food Program’s unique success in putting a stop to sexual assault, and dramatically reducing the incidence of sexual harassment, in the traditionally hostile context of agriculture.
You can watch Judge Safer Espinoza’s four-minute testimony, captured by the cameras of CSPAN, in the video above, or read it,
over at the CIW website...
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