The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Hearing highlights patchy policy
State lawmakers grapple with underreported sex harassment
HARTFORD — Sexual harassment exists at the state Capitol, lawmakers made it clear Monday — and with the exception of one recent complaint, this behavior has often gone unreported and sometimes unchecked over the past decade.
Top legislators held a hearing Monday to discuss with experts how to improve their policies to better protect lawmakers, employees and everyone who comes to the Capitol from sexual harassment.
Their conversations highlighted a patchy policy that struggles to provide reporting options and discipline for people with many different jobs working in an environment where power and influence — often derived from relationships — are king.
“There are people watching (this hearing) in the building right now who are scared to come forward,” said Sen. Beth
Bye, D-West Hartford.
Sen. Mae Flexer, D-Danielson, who served as an intern and an aide before her election to the General Assembly in 2008, said over the years, she has observed “lobbyists having to endure inappropriate comments from legislators about their appearance,” and “legislators inappropriately touching other people, even other legislators.”
Specific accounts of sexual harassment at the Capitol were not given during the hearing. But several members said or hinted that this behavior was not rare.
Legislators, aides, state employees, lobbyists, vendors and media all work in the same building, but have different employers, and policies may apply to them differently. Add what lawmakers called “the unique power dynamics of elected officials” and policing workplace harassment is extra tough.
“It’s different than what you might have in a corporate environment where you might have a single organization,” said Sen. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk.
The legislature’s policy now says all staff must participate in sexual harassment training. It gives victims a few reporting options, but does not say what bystanders should do.
Other than one sexual harassment complaint recently filed with the Office of Legislative Management — which provides human resources for the General Assembly — only two other complaints have been made — and those were filed with CHRO in the early 2000s, said Jim Tamburro, human resources administrator for OLM.
These low numbers made many lawmakers question whether the policy was working. During the meeting, lawmakers and experts pointed out many “holes.”
For example, there is little OLM can do when they find evidence of sexual harassment by a legislator, said Tamburro. Lawmakers can strip that member of their titles and reduce their salary — as recently done with Rep. Angel Arce, DHartford, accused of sending inappropriate messages to a 16-year-old girl.
But it could take the collective action of the four legislative chambers to get an elected official out of office, said Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin.
In contrast, OLM does have the power to fire legislative aides and other staff after an investigation.
Several legislators wanted to add a way to anonymously report sexual harassment. Illinois passed a law in November to add a hotline for reporting, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Others supported clarifying and strengthening policies for “third parties” working at the Capitol, like lobbyists, vendors and media.
Many lawmakers expressed dismay that no written policy forbidding superiors and subordinates from dating exists at the Capitol.
“I question whether it is possible to have a consensual relationship with the power dynamics that exist (between an employee and boss) and when the performance of your job is so subjective,” said Rep. Arthur O’Neill, R-Southbury.