Brevard NOW

National Organization for Women

Advocating for Women & Girls

Donate Join NOW

  • About
  • Issues
    • Constitutional Equality
    • Economic Justice
    • Freedom from Violence
    • LGBTQ Rights
    • Racial Justice
    • Reproductive Rights
  • Get Involved
    • Join
  • News
  • Events
  • Resources

March 30, 2018 by NOW National

Combat Sexual Harassment? Mitch McConnell Says “Never Mind”

Statement of NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

When the House voted on the recent omnibus spending bill, lawmakers included language to support survivors of sexual harassment and discrimination. But when it got to the House, Mitch McConnell said, “never mind,” and removed provisions that would have finally brought accountability and transparency to Congress’ sexual harassment reporting process.

As Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said, “It begs the question: Who are they trying to protect?”

We know who. Every woman knows who. We know how men who harass women are protected and the sexual harassers are enabled. The indifference of Senator McConnell echoes the mistreatment and neglect of hundreds of women who have been abused in spaces of power.

“Sexual coercion knows no party lines,” states Toni Van Pelt, President of the National Organization for Women, “in order to end sexual harassment and assault in all workplaces, we must begin with our leaders. It is time for our representatives on the hill to be a part of solution instead of perpetuating the problem.”

It’s time for a change. NOW supports the initiative taken by all 22 female Senators, Republicans and Democrats alike, to amend the 23-year old law that governs employment complaints in Congress. The current Congressional Accountability Act places an unfair burden on survivors requiring that they undergo counseling, mediation and a month-long “cooling off” period before filing suit against their harassers. Policies like these protect predators and leave survivors vulnerable to further abuse. The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) reports that 75% of survivors experience retaliation when they report their abuse.

The House of Representatives did the right thing in taking the necessary steps to change the culture of sexual harassment on Capitol Hill. The Senate needs to step up as well. Harassers must be held accountable for their actions, survivors deserve justice, and our nation’s leaders must begin to vote with the moral integrity they claim to hold dear. Enough is Enough.

Contact

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

About NOW National

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Get Brevard NOW Updates

Take Action

Attend an Event

Become a Brevard NOW Member

Learn More

Follow Us on Twitter

Brevard NOWFollow

Brevard NOW
Retweet on TwitterBrevard NOW Retweeted
Florida_NOWFlorida NOW@Florida_NOW·
22 Jan

To mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and #ReimagineRoe, we are getting loud for #AbortionJustice and calling for:
✨ abortion coverage
✨ fair wages
✨ protections for immigrants & essential workers
Join us:
https://allaboveall.org/campaign/100-days-agenda/

Reply on Twitter 1352722389944172547Retweet on Twitter 13527223899441725472Like on Twitter 13527223899441725475Twitter 1352722389944172547
Retweet on TwitterBrevard NOW Retweeted
ReproRightsCenter for Reproductive Rights@ReproRights·
26 Jan

📆 EVENT ALERT: Anti-abortion pregnancy centers exist to talk people out of abortions. Nearly 200 of these centers are in Florida alone. The @FLReproFreedom Zoom Power Hour on 1/28 @ 7pm aims to #ExposeFakeClinics. Register now! https://forms.gle/pqc8CuAfo7k46CVh7

Reply on Twitter 1354137281137934336Retweet on Twitter 135413728113793433614Like on Twitter 135413728113793433620Twitter 1354137281137934336
Retweet on TwitterBrevard NOW Retweeted
NARALNARAL@NARAL·
29 Nov

9 out of 10 women will use birth control at some point in their lives. Contraception shouldn’t be controversial.

Reply on Twitter 1332866884237217792Retweet on Twitter 1332866884237217792280Like on Twitter 13328668842372177921689Twitter 1332866884237217792
Retweet on TwitterBrevard NOW Retweeted
NARALNARAL@NARAL·
20 Nov

Repeal the racist Hyde Amendment.
Pass the EACH Woman Act.

#BeBoldEndHyde #4EACHofUs

Reply on Twitter 1329605393786560519Retweet on Twitter 132960539378656051921Like on Twitter 1329605393786560519117Twitter 1329605393786560519
Retweet on TwitterBrevard NOW Retweeted
NARALNARAL@NARAL·
20 Nov

Today is Trans Day of Remembrance, a day to honor those whose lives have been lost to transphobic violence and systems of oppression. It’s also a day to commit to fighting for the fundamental freedom of 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 body. #TDoR2020

Reply on Twitter 1329801691890393091Retweet on Twitter 132980169189039309152Like on Twitter 1329801691890393091131Twitter 1329801691890393091
Load More...

Brevard NOW

Brevard NOW’s purpose is to take action through intersectional grassroots activism to promote feminist ideals, lead societal change, eliminate discrimination, and achieve and protect the equal rights of all women and girls.

Learn more about us.

Contact

Mailing Address
Brevard NOW
P. O. Box 33104
Indialantic, FL  32903

E-Mail
President@BrevardNOW.org

Social

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Handcrafted with by Mapped Digital. NOW Chapter Websites Reinvented.