Posts Tagged ‘Zero Tolerance’
CIA Cracks Down on Sexual Harassment
July 5th, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
WASHINGTON — Following complaints of sexual harassment, the CIA is stepping up efforts to decrease unwanted sexual abuse.
In what it calls a “zero-tolerance” police, the CIA is cracking down on supervisors and co-workers after women working in CIA war zones complained of sexual harassment.
David Petraeus, director of the CIA, sent a message to the agency staff members last month to emphasize the anti-sexual harassment initiative. He ordered a team to meet with senior officers stationed abroad to investigate sexual harassment complaints.
The effort is the result of 2009 and 2011 surveys that demonstrated sexual harassment was taking place on the field. Several female agents reported having been harassed, often by supervisors.
“This has been going on for years, but it seems to have become more serious,” said a former CIA official who chose to remain anonymous. “The agency has not come up with an effective tool to stop it.”
According to the survey, the majority of the alleged incidents involved sexual jokes or comments. However, more physical attacks were suggested to have occurred, despite their lack of being reported.
Sexual harassment is a serious crime, but sadly, many victims never come forward out of embarrassment or fear of retaliation. It is important for victims of unwanted sexual assault or abuse to know that they have a right to a safe workplace and can come forward to file complaints. If you or someone you know is suffering as the victim of sexual harassment, seek legal assistance immediately with a sexual harassment lawyer.
Sexual harassment lawyers work diligently to ensure the perpetrator is held liable for their actions and that victims obtain compensation for their pain and suffering. Speak to a leading sexual harassment attorney to fight for your rights and rid the workplace of hostility.
Marines Release New Plan to Combat Sexual Harassment
June 25th, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps have released a new plan aimed at preventing sexual assault among members as well as to ensure offenders are held accountable for their actions.
The Marine Corps noted that “despite our efforts, we have been ineffective at addressing and eliminating sexual assault.” The new plan, signed by Commandant Gen. James Amos, ensures plights of sexual harassment victims will now be fully addressed.
The three-part plan ensures “true zero tolerance, effective sustainment, empowered reporting, effective deterrence, engaged leadership and evolved culture.”
According to Anu Bhagwati, a former Marine officer and current executive director of Service Women’s Action Network, the long-overdue plan demonstrates that the Marine Corps “has finally caught up to where the rest of the DOD leadership is, which isn’t saying that much.”
Bhagwati says the plan appears to focus mostly on alcohol and “high-risk situation,” but to truly put an end to the workplace abuse, she believes commanders should take a stronger approach and “crush” offenders , instead of ignoring reports.
“There’s just no accountability,” said Bhagwati.
Last year, there were 333 reports of sexual assault in the Marine Corps and 346 victims. While there are false harassment reports, many real sexual assault accounts in the Marine Corps “are often immediately dismissed as false and focus on the victim’s behavior and reputation rather than the conduct of the offender,” states the plan, which will focus on ensuring offenders do not get away with their actions.
The plan will ensure all Marines are trained on sexual harassment incidents and how to properly report cases as well as will make a pre-enlistment waiver history accessible to a Marine’s commander.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of sexual assault, contact a sexual harassment lawyer immediately for assistance to fight for your rights.
