Startup Legalist launches hotline offering support for sexual harassment victims

The Peter Thiel-backed startup Legalist has just launched a telephone hotline to offer support to victims of sexual harassment.

The line, called .MeToo Tales, will provide confidential legal advice and the opportunity to be referred to an attorney, Deadline reported.

The move comes just after the company received countless responses after offering up a $100,000 “bounty” to anyone with legal claims against Harvey Weinstein, according to Deadline.

Founder Eva Shang told Deadline that the motive behind .MeToo Tales is to provide victim with the appropriate resources.

“Sexual harassment is endemic not just to the entertainment industry, but to every industry, whether you’re a software engineer or a European model or a receptionist,” she said. “If women don’t have the resources to file a lawsuit, men in power will never feel the consequences of their actions.”

Victims can be referred to an attorney and receive a confidential assessment of their legal options via one of the law firms that work with Legalist.

The company that deems claims “eligible” can receive up to $100,000 toward their legal fees.

Legalist — which was founded in 2016 — also recoups a contingency based on a successful outcomes of cases, Deadline reported.