Democrats Roll Out Reforms Aimed at Sexual Assault

The issue of addressing sexual assault, harassment and intimidation in the workplace is a bipartisan issue in the Connecticut General Assembly.

Democrat and Republican leaders and their staffs in the House and Senate have met on the topic.

On Tuesday, it was Democrats rolling out their priorities when it comes to dealing with the issue.

Sen. Martin Looney, the leader of the State Senate said the package of legislation, "includes the largest overhaul of sexual harassment and sexual assault law in modern Connecticut history."

The proposals are wide-ranging and include mandating workplace training for all employers in Connecticut as to what constitutes assault or harassment, reforming and making easier the complaint process through the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, increasing fines for offenders, and ending the practice of employers striking settlements and keeping those details private.

Supporters of the legislation said it’s those settlements that could lead to inappropriate behavior continuing in a workplace.

"Banning secret settlements can be life-changing whether it’s hiding the truth about hazardous products or in this case sexual harassment and abuse," Sen. Terri Gerratana said.

Republicans in the State Capitol say they feel the issue has now been even more politicized since Democrats decided to roll out their own bills, even though the issue has been discussed privately among leaders as being an issue they felt they could move forward on in a collaborative way.

Rep. Themis Klarides, the top Republican in the House, said, "I am open, and all four caucuses are open to these conversations and that’s why we wanted to have public hearings, but again, this is one of those issues that should not be partisan and they are trying to make this partisan and that is something people in this state should not tolerate."

To date, Republicans in the Senate have yet to file a bill pertaining to sexual harassment or assault, while Democrats have filed more than a dozen.

Rep. Liz Linehan, a Democrat from Cheshire, feels a level of vindication to see such a public push to curb workplace harassment, assault, and intimidation.

More than twenty years ago she says her broadcasting career was derailed following multiple incidents.

"I was sexually assaulted in the workplace, and subsequently sexually harassed and I lost my job because of it and was blacklisted from my given industry," Linehan said.

She added that she hopes some kind of legislation passes, even if it’s not everything Democrats are looking for.

“I’m afraid that if we went too far that a bill wouldn’t pass,” Linehan said. “We need to make sure that our first step is protecting the victims.”

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