Lawmakers accused of misconduct surpass 100
Review: Tally growing despite preventive steps
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State lawmakers across the U.S. have reached a troubling milestone for allegations of sexual misconduct, even as they have taken significant steps to try to prevent and investigate such behavior.
Recent complaints filed against Michigan state Sen. Peter Lucido mean at least 101 state legislators now have been publicly accused of sexual harassment or misconduct since the start of 2017, according to an Associated Press review.
That tally has grown, even though the vast majority of state legislative chambers now require lawmakers to undergo training about sexual harassment, the AP found.
“Training doesn’t guarantee that harassment will stop,” said Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
The AP review found mixed indications of progress and problems as the #MeToo movement enters its third legislative year. Over the past two years, states have enacted more than 75 laws and resolutions targeting sexual harassment, abuse and assault within government or the private sector. Some of those laws have required regular training intended prevent harassment, established clear channels for reporting allegations and granted greater legal protections to whistle blowers.
The review found that at least 43 state Senate chambers and 45 House or Assembly chambers require sexual harassment training.