Sexual harassment training at Oklahoma Capitol gets new emphasis
Tulsa World barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com
Recent high-profile allegations of misconduct by legislators have put an increased emphasis on sexual harassment training at the Capitol.
Dan Kirby, R-Tulsa, resigned in February after a House panel recommended that he be expelled in the wake of an investigation into sexual harassment claims against him. Kirby said he was not guilty.
Ralph Shortey, R-Oklahoma City, resigned from the Senate in March after he was found in a Moore hotel room with an underage boy he had offered to pay for sex. Shortey ultimately pleaded guilty to child sex trafficking and is awaiting sentencing.
Bryce Marlatt, R-Woodward, resigned from his Senate seat in September after being charged with the sexual battery of an Uber driver. The case is pending in Oklahoma County District Court.
“House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, made it clear last November that sexual harassment, discrimination and misconduct will not be tolerated by the House of Representatives,” said Jason Sutton, a McCall spokesman. “Following the recommendations released in January 2017 by the House Special Investigation Committee, the House has drafted new guidelines on workplace behavior and sexual harassment.
“The House has also created a new mandatory sexual harassment and workplace conduct seminar for both elected lawmakers and House staff.”
The training is provided annually, Sutton said.
“In addition, as recommended by the Special Investigation Committee, elected lawmakers will be required to sign an anti-fraternization and anti-nepotism form at the beginning of each two-year term,” Sutton said.
Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa, served on the panel that looked into the allegations of misconduct and helped form the recommendations.
She said it became apparent that there had never been any kind of sexual harassment policy geared toward lawmakers.
“I think that there has been historically a lot of lenience given toward legislative behavior,” Blancett said. “I think that time has ended.”
Senators are required to attend sexual harassment training once per year, said Aaron Cooper, a spokesman for Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz, R-Altus. The sessions are conducted by an outside subject matter expert, he said.
“While personnel matters are confidential, not subject to the Open Records Act, and aren’t typically publicly discussed, I can inform you that since 2008 no sexual harassment lawsuits have been filed against the Oklahoma Senate, its members or staff, nor has the Oklahoma Senate paid any claims or settlements regarding harassment during that time,” Cooper said.
Private attorney Sam Fulkerson provides the training to the Senate.
“I am trying to get them to think about the other person before they open their mouth …,” Fulkerson said. “Should I tell this joke? Should I make this remark? If I compliment this person on his or her appearance, am I going too far?”
Rep. Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa, said sexual harassment is an issue at the Capitol, where a lot of those who get elected “become extremely impressed with themselves and think they are above the law, above reproach, and take advantage of their positions.”
Proctor is the father of two young daughters.
“I can tell you the state Capitol is not a place where I want my daughters to work, the way people talk and joke around employees just in passing,” he said. “It is not a positive thing.”