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This whole story is deeply upsetting -- and sadly, only one of many reports of sexual misconduct out of LA city government.
I want to talk about some of the issues LA has faced with sexual misconduct -- and the system for employees to report it. (thread) https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-10-21/garcetti-advisor-rick-jacobs-takes-leave-sexual-misconduct-allegations
I want to talk about some of the issues LA has faced with sexual misconduct -- and the system for employees to report it. (thread) https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-10-21/garcetti-advisor-rick-jacobs-takes-leave-sexual-misconduct-allegations
Until a few years ago, LA city government had no central system for tracking sexual harassment and misconduct complaints -- and there was a one-year statute of limitations on reporting claims.
The #MeToo
movement in 2017 prompted calls for change. https://laist.com/2019/02/06/sexual_harassment_lapd_los_angeles_city_county.php
The #MeToo
movement in 2017 prompted calls for change. https://laist.com/2019/02/06/sexual_harassment_lapd_los_angeles_city_county.php
In 2017, the city of LA conducted a survey on the experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace.
18% of respondents reported having been sexually harassed at work.
For some context on this number: only 28% of LA city employees overall are women. https://www.scpr.org/news/2018/04/24/82518/snapshot-what-la-city-workers-say-about-sexual-har/
18% of respondents reported having been sexually harassed at work.
For some context on this number: only 28% of LA city employees overall are women. https://www.scpr.org/news/2018/04/24/82518/snapshot-what-la-city-workers-say-about-sexual-har/
Sitting city councilmembers have had cases settled out, sometimes with city funds.
From July 2011 through 2017, the city paid out $8 million in sexual harassment claims -- $6 million from claims against LAPD alone. https://www.scpr.org/news/2018/02/22/81014/sexual-harassment-a-persistent-and-costly-problem/
From July 2011 through 2017, the city paid out $8 million in sexual harassment claims -- $6 million from claims against LAPD alone. https://www.scpr.org/news/2018/02/22/81014/sexual-harassment-a-persistent-and-costly-problem/
In response to calls for reform, the City of LA implemented a new reporting system: My Voice LA.
My Voice LA is an online portal that allows city employees to anonymously report sexual misconduct, and assigns a case manager to handle their claim.
My Voice LA is an online portal that allows city employees to anonymously report sexual misconduct, and assigns a case manager to handle their claim.
The new sexual misconduct reporting system for LA city employees is also operated by the city, via the personnel department.
That can be a problem. When a reporting system is run internally, employees can sometimes be reluctant to trust the system and report their experiences.
That can be a problem. When a reporting system is run internally, employees can sometimes be reluctant to trust the system and report their experiences.
Especially in places with long histories of sexual misconduct like LA City Hall, third-party reporting and investigative processes are necessary.
That’s because powerful people can manipulate internally-operated reporting systems to protect themselves.
That’s because powerful people can manipulate internally-operated reporting systems to protect themselves.
The Mayor’s advisor has now stepped away from his work. We don’t know the status of an investigation, or whether one has been initiated.
I hope the Mayor ordered a third-party investigation into the allegations immediately upon hearing the complaints.
I hope the Mayor ordered a third-party investigation into the allegations immediately upon hearing the complaints.
Talking openly about these issues, and being clear about the processes you’re following: that’s how you create a culture in your workplace where sexual misconduct is taken seriously, and where people feel safe coming forward if they have experienced it.
There’s a culture of silence around sexual misconduct at LA City Hall -- and in our city government at large.
Recent stories tell us that we still haven’t seen an honest conversation about just how big the problem is -- and what it will really take to address it.
Recent stories tell us that we still haven’t seen an honest conversation about just how big the problem is -- and what it will really take to address it.
