Rep. Stansbury Votes to Protect Survivors of Sexual Assault and Harassment

Statement

oday, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) voted to pass bipartisan, bicameral legislation to end forced arbitration for sexual harassment and assault survivors nationwide.

The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act will void forced arbitration agreements in any contract if a survivor comes forward with a claim of sexual assault or harassment. The legislation returns survivors' freedom to decide how they will pursue justice by ending institutional legal protections for perpetrators of harassment and abuse.

By voiding forced arbitration clauses in the case of sexual assault and harassment, survivors can bring a claim in court, discuss their case publicly, or seeking another kind of legal remedy. More than 60 million Americans will be impacted be impacted by this legislation.

"Today, I am proud to vote to protect survivors and end legal protections for perpetrators of sexual harassment and abuse," said Rep. Stansbury. "Every person has the right to have their story heard and have their day in court, but far too many survivors of sexual assault have been denied the freedom to pursue justice because of forced arbitration. I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation, which will protect survivors across the country and send a strong message to those who commit abuse: that they will be held accountable."

The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault & Sexual Harassment Act, which now heads to the Senate, would stop perpetrators from being able to push survivors of sexual harassment and assault into the secretive, biased process of forced arbitration.

The full text of the legislation can be found here. A fact sheet on the legislation can be found here.

The bill has been endorsed by the American Association for Justice (AAJ), Public Citizen, the National Women's Law Center, the National Partnership for Women and Families, Futures Without Violence, Jewish Women International, Lift Our Voices, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Partnership for Women and Families, National Women's Law Center, Public Citizen, RAINN, RALIANCE, and Sexual Violence Prevention Association, the Malouf Foundation, the Elizabeth Smart Foundation and the House LGBTQ Equality Caucus.

Source