Miami NOW

National Organization for Women

Donate Join NOW

  • About
  • Issues
    • Constitutional Equality
    • Economic Justice
    • Freedom from Violence
    • LGBTQ Rights
    • Racial Justice
    • Reproductive Rights
    • Scholars of FL NOW
  • Get Involved
    • Join
    • Florida Young NOW

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 Miami NOW Updates

Sign up to stay informed on the latest news, events and feminist issues! Subscribe

Follow Us on Twitter

MiamiNOWFollow

MiamiNOW
Retweet on TwitterMiamiNOW Retweeted
NationalNOWNational NOW@NationalNOW·
24 May

Day 7 of #SistersinSuffrage, it's Meri Te Tai Mangakahia. This suffragist inspired future generations of Māori women. Thanks to her, Maori women won the right to vote in 1897. To learn more about this suffragist and many others like her, visit http://now.org/100.

2
Reply on Twitter 1264574122979401730Retweet on Twitter 126457412297940173046Like on Twitter 1264574122979401730116Twitter 1264574122979401730
Retweet on TwitterMiamiNOW Retweeted
NationalNOWNational NOW@NationalNOW·
23 May

Day 6 of #SistersinSuffrage, we see Mabel Ping Hua-Lee, who led on horseback a suffragist parade New York City in 1912. her efforts paved the way for AAPI voters to stand for their rights. To learn more about this suffragist and many others like her, visit http://now.org/100

2
Reply on Twitter 1264209470306967552Retweet on Twitter 126420947030696755221Like on Twitter 126420947030696755226Twitter 1264209470306967552
Retweet on TwitterMiamiNOW Retweeted
NationalNOWNational NOW@NationalNOW·
22 May

Day 5 of #SistersinSuffrage, we celebrate ambassador Vilma Socorro Martinez. This suffragist helped secure the Voting Rights Act to include Mexican Americans to be protected. To learn more about this suffragist and many others like her, visit http://now.org/100.

2
Reply on Twitter 1263877286899511304Retweet on Twitter 126387728689951130417Like on Twitter 126387728689951130416Twitter 1263877286899511304
Retweet on TwitterMiamiNOW Retweeted
NationalNOWNational NOW@NationalNOW·
21 May

Day 4 of #SistersinSuffrage and a first generation suffragist, here's Harriet Forten Purvis. This powerful woman laid the groundwork for the first National Women's Right Convention. To learn more about this suffragist and many others like her, visit http://now.org/100.

Reply on Twitter 1263515397082365953Retweet on Twitter 126351539708236595314Like on Twitter 126351539708236595313Twitter 1263515397082365953
Retweet on TwitterMiamiNOW Retweeted
NationalNOWNational NOW@NationalNOW·
20 May

Today's #SistersinSuffrage is an educator and reformer who fought for the narratives of black women to be heard and founder of the Tuskegee Women's Club, Margaret Murray Washington! To learn more about her and many other suffragists like her, visit http://now.org/100.

2
Reply on Twitter 1263127192608935937Retweet on Twitter 126312719260893593718Like on Twitter 126312719260893593721Twitter 1263127192608935937
Load More...

Like Us On Facebook

Like Us On Facebook

Miami NOW

Miami 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
Miami NOW
PO Box 140341
Coral Gables, FL  33114

E-Mail
president@miaminow.org

Social

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Handcrafted with by Mapped Digital. NOW Chapter Websites Reinvented.