sexual harassment Archives | Northwest Public Broadcasting

#MeToo Lessons Spur Mandatory Sex-Education Proposal In Washington

By Max Wasserman February 15, 2019

Planned parenthood advocates listen as students speak in favor of legislation mandating consent-based sex education in Washington state, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. CREDIT: MAX WASSERMAN/N3

Issues of sexual harassment raised in the #MeToo era have trickled their way through just about every part of Washington state — from business, to government, and now possibly schools as state lawmakers flag consent as the cornerstone of a mandatory sex-education proposal. Read More

Former Washington Legislator Kevin Ranker Violated Harassment Policy, Report Finds

By Austin Jenkins February 1, 2019

Washington state Sen. Kevin Ranker is the subject of a workplace misconduct investigation. CREDIT: WASHINGTON SENATE

Former Washington state Sen. Kevin Ranker, an Orcas Island Democrat, violated Senate harassment policy in his treatment of a female subordinate during the 2010 legislative session, according to an investigative report released Friday. Read More

New Code Of Conduct To Shift How Washington Legislature Deals With Sexual Harassment

By Max Wasserman January 26, 2019

Washington House representatives listen to testimony,, Jan. 24, 2019, before they unanimously voted to approve a code of conduct for the Legislature. CREDIT: TED S. WARREN/AP

The handling of sexual harassment in the Washington Legislature will evolve following a new code of conduct that has already passed one chamber. Continue Reading New Code Of Conduct To Shift How Washington Legislature Deals Read More

Washington State Sen. Kevin Ranker Resigns Amid Workplace Conduct Investigation

By Austin Jenkins January 12, 2019

Washington state Sen. Kevin Ranker, an Orcas Island Democrat, has resigned his seat in the midst of a workplace conduct investigation. In a letter to Gov. Jay Inslee dated Friday, Ranker, who served in the Senate for a decade, said his resignation was effective immediately. Read More

Bernie Sanders Responds To Allegations Of Sexism, Harassment By Aides During 2016 Race

By Scott Leadingham January 3, 2019

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., offered an apology on Wednesday after allegations were made public of sexual harassment and discrimination on his 2016 campaign. CREDIT: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

"We will do better next time," the U.S. senator from Vermont and former presidential candidate said. As Sanders considers whether to run in 2020, new allegations from his 2016 campaign have emerged. Continue Reading Bernie Read More

Washington Sen. Kevin Ranker Admits Relationship With Former Staffer Accusing Him Of Misconduct

By Austin Jenkins December 19, 2018

A Washington state senator under investigation for alleged workplace misconduct involving his former legislative assistant acknowledged Tuesday that he had a "brief relationship" with the woman before he hired her in 2009. Read More

Olympia Harassment: Workgroup Recommends New Office To Investigate Misconduct In Legislature

By Austin Jenkins December 9, 2018

washnigton state capitol CREDIT: BRIANHE / WIKIMEDIA - TINYURL.COM/ZMPZ86K

Following eight months of meetings, a workgroup on the prevention of sexual harassment in the Washington state House is recommending an independent office where victims could report misconduct. The recommendation is part of a package of suggested reforms. Read More

Exotic Dancers In Washington Want More On-The-Job Protections

By Austin Jenkins December 5, 2018

The locker room at Little Darlings, a club owned by Deja Vu. Both of the dancers who spoke at the hearing worked here and at other Deja Vu clubs. The locker room regularly has standing water from flooding, which sometimes spills onto the dance floor. CREDIT: WORKING WA

The #MeToo movement has spurred efforts to make workplaces safer for women, and that includes Washington state strip clubs. A panel of lawmakers on Monday heard testimony from dancers who say they need more protections. Continue Reading Exotic Read More

Google Employees Walk Out To Protest Company’s Treatment Of Women

By NPR News November 1, 2018

Google employees stage a walkout on Thursday in New York City and at Google offices around the world over how the company has handled sexual harassment.

Many at Google have been simmering since The New York Times reported the company gave generous exit packages to alleged harassers. Thousands of employees walked out of its offices around the world. Continue Reading Google Employees Read More

Poll Finds Americans Deeply Divided By Gender On Brett Kavanaugh Nomination

By NPR News September 26, 2018

Demonstrators gather on Capitol Hill at the office of GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine to protest the nomination of Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh. CREDIT: MARK WILSON/GETTY IMAGES

An NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll shows a tight contest for credibility between Christine Blasey Ford and high court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. But 42 percent are unsure who is telling the truth. Continue Reading Poll Finds Americans Read More

Anita Hill Says Brett Kavanaugh Accuser Hearing ‘Cannot Be Fair’

By NPR News September 25, 2018

Anita Hill testified in 1991 that she was sexually harassed by then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas.

As it stands now, Hill tells NPR, the hearing cannot provide senators "with enough information to reach a reasonable conclusion." She testified in 1991 that Clarence Thomas sexually harassed her. Continue Reading Anita Hill Says Brett Kavanaugh Read More

Bill Cosby Sentenced To At Least 3 Years In State Prison For Sexual Assault

By NPR News September 25, 2018

Bill Cosby arrives at a Norristown, Pa., court Monday. The first jury in the case deadlocked in 2017. A jury in the second trial convicted Cosby on all counts April 26, 2018.

Cosby, 81, is the first celebrity to be sent to prison in the #MeToo era. The sentence completes the TV dad's stunning fall from groundbreaking cultural icon to convicted sex offender. Continue Reading Bill Cosby Sentenced To At Read More

Rep. Matt Manweller Says He’ll Step Down, Former Student At Center Says She’s Relieved

By Austin Jenkins September 24, 2018

Washington 13th District GOP Rep. Matt Manweller CREDIT: WASHINGTON LEGISLATURE/2014

Under pressure to resign following a new allegation of sexual misconduct, Republican state legislator Matt Manweller on Monday told a reporter from the Columbia Basin Herald that he would resign if re-elected this November. In his statement, Manweller neither denied what he called the "alleged relationship" nor apologized. Read More

Brett Kavanaugh Denies New Sexual Misconduct Allegation From College Classmate

By NPR News September 23, 2018

A college classmate of Kavanaugh's says he acted inappropriately during a drunken party 35 years ago Kavanaugh, who's currently a federal appeals judge, denies the allegations. Continue Reading Brett Kavanaugh Denies New Sexual Read More

Washington House Republicans Ask Manweller To Resign After Former Student Alleges Underage Relationship

By Austin Jenkins September 21, 2018

Republican state Representative Matt Manweller WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE

House Republican leaders on Friday called on embattled state Rep. Matt Manweller (R-Cle-Elum) to resign. The move followed the publication of a story by the public radio Northwest News Network earlier in the day detailing an alleged sexual relationship between Manweller and a 17-year-old former high school student of his in 1997. Read More

Rep. Matt Manweller, Fired From CWU, Accused Of Underage Relationship With Former Student

By Austin Jenkins September 21, 2018

A former Idaho high school student of embattled GOP Washington legislator and longtime educator Rep. Matt Manweller says she had a sexual relationship with him beginning after she graduated in 1997, when she was 17 years old and he was a decade her senior. Under Idaho state law at the time, sex between an adult male and a female younger than 18 constituted statutory rape. Read More

In MeToo Era, A Yakima Valley Dairy Worker Finds Her Voice

By Esmy Jimenez August 23, 2018

The old DeRuyter Brothers Dairy sits in Outlook, Wash. According to state records, before it sold, the operation had around 5,000 head of cattle on 500 hundred acres, making it one of the largest dairies in the Yakima Valley. CREDIT: ESMY JIMENEZ

Maria Gonzalez started at DeRuyter Brothers dairy in February 2015. At the time, she was the first and only woman working as a milker. For Maria, working there was a step up in career and pay. But it also meant facing sexual harassment from a male coworker. It ended with losing her job. Read More

CWU Report Finds ‘Pattern Of Unprofessional Conduct’ From Rep. Matt Manweller In Firing Him

By Austin Jenkins August 22, 2018

Washington state Rep. Matt Manweller “engaged in a pattern of unprofessional and inappropriate behavior” with current and former female students at Central Washington University (CWU) over a 13-year period, according to an 85-page investigative report released by the university on Wednesday. Read More

Washington Rep. Matt Manweller Fired From Central Washington University, Plans To Sue

By Austin Jenkins August 14, 2018

Central Washington University fired Republican state Rep. Matt Manweller Tuesday, Aug. 14, from his position as a tenured professor of political science following a months-long investigation into his conduct toward students. Read More

Embattled Washington Lawmaker David Sawyer Trails In Primary After Misconduct Allegations

By Austin Jenkins August 8, 2018

Democratic state Rep. David Sawyer of Tacoma was in third place in early primary returns Tuesday night, an indication of the political fallout he’s facing over numerous allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women and an investigation that found he violated House harassment policy. Read More

Washington Rep. Matt Manweller Denies Inappropriate Behavior, Pre-Empts CWU Report

By Austin Jenkins August 2, 2018

With less than a week until the primary election in his district, Republican state Rep. Matt Manweller has released a video accusing his employer—Central Washington University —of pursuing a partisan-driven investigation into his workplace conduct. Read More

Victims Will Have New Place To Report Harassment, Misconduct In Washington State Senate

By Austin Jenkins July 16, 2018

Washington State Capitol CREDIT: BRIANHE / WIKIMEDIA

In response to the #MeToo movement, the Washington state Senate will create a new human resources officer position to investigate complaints of harassment and other workplace misconduct, replacing a previous system of “facilitators” who served as a go-to resource for victims. Read More

‘…I Did Not Act Inappropriately,’ Justin Trudeau Says Amid Groping Allegation

By NPR News July 6, 2018

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, photographed in May, told reporters on Thursday, "I do not feel that I acted inappropriately in any way but I respect the fact that someone else might have experienced that differently," amid an allegation of groping 18 years ago. CREDIT: Charles Krupa/AP

The accusation is nearly two decades old. The Canadian prime minister said Thursday that he apologized "in the moment" but that "the same interactions can be felt very differently" by people involved. Continue Reading ‘…I Read More

Why A Tacoma Lawmaker — And His Accuser — Are Calling For A Better Way To Investigate Misconduct At The Legislature

By Austin Jenkins July 6, 2018

Washington state Rep. David Sawyer CREDIT: WASHINGTON LEGISLATURE

In the aftermath of a recent workplace conduct investigation at the state Capitol, the Democratic lawmaker at the heart of the inquiry and one of his accusers say the process has revealed flaws in how the Legislature handles complaints made against elected officials. Read More

Investigation Finds Washington Lawmaker Violated Harassment Policy

By Austin Jenkins June 11, 2018

Washington House leaders are recommending that state Rep. David Sawyer, D-Tacoma, lose his chairmanship, not be assigned a legislative assistant and continue to have his access to staff restricted as the result of the findings of an investigation into his conduct that could also result in an ethics probe. Read More

Despite Ongoing Investigations, Two Washington Lawmakers File To Run Again

By Austin Jenkins May 15, 2018

Despite ongoing investigations into their conduct, Republican Matt Manweller of Ellensburg, left, and Democrat David Sawyer of Tacoma have filed to run for re-election to the Washington House. CREDIT: WASHINGTON LEGISLATURE

Two embattled Washington state representatives have filed to run for re-election—despite ongoing investigations into their conduct. Continue Reading Despite Ongoing Investigations, Two Washington Lawmakers File To Run AgainRead More

Washington Lawmaker Suspended As Committee Chair, Accused Of Creating Hostile Work Environment

By Austin Jenkins May 9, 2018

Washington House Democrats voted Wednesday to suspend state Rep. David Sawyer as chair of the Commerce & Gaming Committee. CREDIT: WASHINGTON LEGISLATURE

Washington House Democrats voted Wednesday to suspend state Rep. David Sawyer as chair of the Commerce and Gaming Committee pending the outcome of an investigation into workplace conduct. Continue Reading Washington Lawmaker Read More

Major Wenatchee Fruit Company Stemilt Growers Settles Sexual Harassment And Retaliation Suit

By Esmy Jimenez April 5, 2018

Stemilt Growers, based in Wenatchee, Wash., adopted a ladybug in its logos as part of a "Responsible Choice" campaign in 1989. Courtesy Stemilt Growers

In the wake of the Me Too movement, a sexual harassment and retaliation case at a large fruit company brings the issue closer to home in Wenatchee. Stemilt Growers, a leader in Washington’s apple and cherry industry, has agreed to pay nearly $100,000 to settle a lawsuit with a former employee. Read More

New Washington Laws Aim To Address Workplace Sexual Harassment And Gender Pay Gap

By Austin Jenkins March 21, 2018

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee poses with state Sen. Karen Keiser at a bill signing ceremony on Wednesday.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has signed several measures into law aimed at tackling sexual harassment in the workplace and an update to the Equal Pay Act to help address gender pay gap in the state. Continue Reading New Read More

Native Community Reels From Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Famed Native Writer Sherman Alexie

By Emily Schwing March 6, 2018

File photo. Multiple women hae accused Native American writer Sherman Alexie of sexual harassment.. CREDIT: ASU DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

One of the best-known Native American writers in the Northwest has come under fire for sexual harassment. Sherman Alexie is Spokane Indian, making the allegations against Alexie particularly painful for members of the Native community. Read More

‘It Just Felt Very Wrong’: Sherman Alexie’s Accusers Go On The Record

By NPR News March 6, 2018

Sherman Alexie speaks at a celebration of Indigenous Peoples' Day at Seattle's City Hall in 2016. CREDIT: ELAINE THOMPSON

Writer Sherman Alexie issued a statement last week admitting he "has harmed" others, after rumors and allegations began to circulate about sexual harassment. Without providing details, Alexie said "there are women telling the truth," and he apologized to the people he has hurt. Now, some of those women have come forward to speak to NPR about their experiences with him. Read More

Multiple Women Accuse Tacoma Lawmaker Of Unprofessional, Inappropriate Behavior

By Austin Jenkins February 23, 2018

Multiple women have accused Washington state Rep. David Sawyer of unprofessional and inappropriate behavior. CREDIT: WASHINGTON LEGISLATURE

In recent weeks, eight women interviewed by Northwest News Network, The News Tribune and The Olympian have said Washington state Rep. David Sawyer of Tacoma has crossed personal and professional boundaries, sometimes repeatedly, and accused him of engaging in behavior before and after he joined the Legislature that ranged from inappropriate to harassing. Read More

POLL: The ‘Inappropriate’ Office Behaviors Most Pervasive In Workplaces

By NPR News February 23, 2018

Over 9 in 10 people think both gossip and deliberate touching are inappropriate at work, and many have seen it happen. Yet, almost no one admitted to doing either in a new Ipsos/NPR poll. Continue Reading POLL: The ‘Inappropriate’ Office Read More

Addressing Sexual Harassment At Washington Capitol Isn’t As Easy As Hoped

By Austin Jenkins February 8, 2018

Washington Senate Majority Leader Sharon Nelson

Efforts to address sexual harassment in the Washington state Capitol have suffered a setback. Legislative leaders had pledged to improve the workplace climate following reports late last year that revealed a history of misconduct at the Capitol. But finding a solution has proven more difficult than expected. Read More

UPDATE: Oregon State Senator Resigns After Investigation Finds He Persisted With Unwanted Touching

By NWPB News February 8, 2018

Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg, makes remarks before a vote Friday, July 8, 2005, at the Oregon Capitol. CREDIT: RICK BOWMER

An investigation into behavior by Oregon Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg, released this week states Kruse had a pattern of “engaging in unwelcome physical contact toward females in the workplace.” Continue Reading UPDATE: Oregon State Read More

Rep. Matt Manweller, CWU Professor, Ordered To Stay Away From Students Amid Investigation

By Austin Jenkins December 31, 2017

Washington state Republican Representative Matt Manweller. CREDIT: WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE Listen UPDATE, Dec. 29, 2017: Public records released by Central Washington University this week show professor and GOP state Rep. Matt Manweller is barred from contacting past or present students while the school investigates allegations of sexual harassment against Read More

Ex-Wife, Former High School Student Of Rep. Matt Manweller Now Calls Relationship ‘Inappropriate’

By Austin Jenkins December 10, 2017

OraLynn Reeve, the ex-wife of Matt Manweller, standing in her Duvall, Washington, home. WALKER ORENSTEIN/THE NEWS TRIBUNE Listen UPDATE, Dec. 11, 2017: Central Washington University has placed Matt Manweller on paid leave pending a university investigation. Read more. ———————————- Original Story: The Read More

Washington State Senator Wants To Ban Non-Disclosure Agreements For Sexual Harassment

By Austin Jenkins December 5, 2017

A bill introduced by Washington Sen. Karen Keiser would place limits on non-disclosure agreements. WASHINGTON LEGISLATURE Washington state Sen. Karen Keiser says she wants to encourage disclosure of sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace. To that end, the Democrat introduced legislation December 4 that would place limits on non-disclosure agreements. Read More

Washington Senate Will Require Annual Sexual Harassment Training

By Austin Jenkins November 15, 2017

WSDOT/FLICKR Listen Beginning next year, Washington state Senators and Senate staff will be required to take annual sexual harassment training. The Senate’s operations committee unanimously approved that requirement at a meeting Tuesday night. Republican state Senator Joe Fain told his colleagues there needs to be immediate action to address the workplace climate at the Read More

Women See ‘Surge’ Opportunity To Address Sexual Harassment At State Capitol

By Austin Jenkins November 15, 2017

Kristina Hermach was an anonymous source for a 1992 story in The News Tribune on sexual harassment at the Washington state Capitol. Now she’s speaking out. AUSTIN JENKINS / NORTHWEST NEWS NETWORK Listen In response to recent reports about sexual harassment at the Washington state Capitol, a state Senate committee voted Tuesday night to require… Read More

175 Women Sign Letter Calling For End To Sexual Harassment In Washington State Legislature

By Austin Jenkins November 6, 2017

Samantha Kersul is one of more than 170 women who have signed a letter to Washington state’s legislative leadership urging action to address sexual harassment at the Capitol. Kersul says she was forcibly kissed by a state lawmaker in 2009. AUSTIN JENKINS / NORTHWEST NEWS NETWORK Listen More than 170 women who work or have… Read More

Women Speak Out, Name Names After Report On Sexual Harassment In State Capitol

By Austin Jenkins November 3, 2017

Samantha Kersul said in 2009 a Democratic state Representative pinned her and forcefully kissed her against her will in a bar. She is one of several women to speak out in recent days about sexual harassment at the Washington Capitol. AUSTIN JENKINS / NORTHWEST NEWS NETWORK Listen It’s been an eventful and, for some, an… Read More

Legislative Leaders Respond To Report On Sexual Harassment In Washington Capitol

By Austin Jenkins November 1, 2017

AUSTIN JENKINS / NORTHWEST NEWS NETWORK Listen Leaders in the Washington Legislature said they won’t tolerate sexual harassment, and encourage women to report unwanted attention from men. Those comments follow NWPR’s investigation with The News Tribune of Tacoma into the workplace climate at the state Capitol. NWPR’s reporting quoted current and former Read More

Women At Washington’s Capitol Say ‘Me Too’

By Austin Jenkins October 31, 2017

Nicole Grant says she was groped by a lawmaker and a lobbyist while working as a lobbyist in Olympia for electrical workers between 2010 and 2016. PAMELA WANG Listen Nicole Grant was excited when she arrived at the state Capitol in 2010 to lobby on behalf of the Certified Electrical Workers of Washington. A journeyman… Read More