We Said Enough or WeSaidEnough is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2017. It is dedicated to eliminating discrimination, sexual harassment and assault within employment and academic settings. We Said Enough is based in Sacramento, California.
About edit
In 2017 California lobbyist, Adama Iwu had been in a conversation about sexual harassment and violence with friends who worked in California politics, all of whom had "Me Too" stories to share.[1] Iwu herself had been sexually harassed in front of people at a political event where no one called out the behavior.[2]
Iwu approached her close colleague Samantha Corbin to help pen a bipartisan letter that was published on October 17, 2017 alongside an article in the Los Angeles Times.[1] with over 140 signatories.
The letter was signed by California Capitol staff, legislators, lobbyists, and political consultants. It brought attention to the culture of sexual harassment they faced at work.[3] The We Said Enough letter became the first open statement by women working in politics calling out a pervasive culture of harassment and abuse within a capitol community. During the initial launch of its letter, We Said Enough organizers released a series of stories that victims and survivors of harassment and sexual violence had submitted to the We Said Enough website.
We Said Enough has stated it wants to increase protections for victims and improve due process in order to hold those who harass others in the workplace accountable.[4]
We Said Enough has outlined several reforms to make the California Capitol a safer place to work. This includes asking for a confidential hotline for victims to report abuse[5] and "whistleblower" protections for Capitol employees.[6]
Additionally, We Said Enough has also been asking questions about how the process of investigating sexual harassment are conducted.[7] The group wants an "independent publicly accountable entity to handle investigations for both legislative houses" in the California State Legislature.[8]
California Assembly Hearings edit
Following the We Said Enough letter and subsequent movement, the California State Assembly convened the first hearing of its newly formed Subcommittee on Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Prevention and Response.[9] We Said Enough Leaders Christine Pelosi, Samantha Corbin, and Alicia Lewis testified on behalf of the organization.
Time Person of the Year: The Silence Breakers edit
Due to the significant news coverage and attention brought forward by the We Said Enough movement, Adama Iwu was featured on the cover of Time Magazine for its Person of the Year: "The Silence Breakers". Also pictured was strawberry picker Isabel Pascual (pseudonym), actress Ashley Judd, software engineer Susan Fowler, singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, and a sixth woman, a hospital worker who wished to remain anonymous[10]
Reach and impact edit
The We Said Enough campaign was involved with Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra resigning when allegations of sexual harassment came forward in November.[11] State Senator Tony Mendoza had to step down from his committee chair and came under investigation because of allegations of workplace misconduct.[12][13] Assemblyman Matt Dababneh resigned after women came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct.[5]
The We Said Enough website collects stories from women across the country.[2]
Backlash edit
Some women have been shamed for talking about their experiences with sexual harassment and violence in California politics.[12] One lobbyist who signed onto the letter was fired from her job immediately after she notified her employer that she had signed it.[12]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b Mason, Melanie (October 17, 2017). "Female lawmakers, staffers and lobbyists speak out on 'pervasive' harassment in California's Capitol". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ a b Kravarik, Jason (October 19, 2017). "Sexual harassment claims by women rattle California capital". CNN. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ Remington, Chris (December 12, 2017). "#WeSaidEnough Leaders Discuss Consequences For Lawmakers Who Harass". Capital Public Radio. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ Durfee, Jess (December 14, 2017). "True Democrats side with sexual harassment silence breakers". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ a b Murphy, Katy (December 8, 2017). "LA-area Assemblyman Matt Dababneh resigns after sexual misconduct allegations". Pasadena Star News. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ Koseff, Alexei; Chance, Amy (November 28, 2017). "'We have rapists in this building': Women say sexual abuse isn't reported at California Capitol". The Sacramento Bee. ISSN 0890-5738. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ Brugger, Kelsey (October 29, 2017). "Lawmakers Call Out Sexual Harassment". Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ Koseff, Alexei (December 26, 2017). "Sexual harassment victims want assurances Capitol investigations will be independent". Sacramento Bee.
- ^ Ronayne, Kathleen (November 26, 2017). "First Term Lawmaker to Lead Assembly Hearings on Harassment". WPXI. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ Zacharek, Stephanie; Dockterman, Eliana; Edwards, Haley Sweetland. "TIME Person of the Year 2017: The Silence Breakers". Time. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
- ^ Murphy, Katy (November 20, 2017). "California lawmaker accused by 7 women of sexual harassment will not run for re-election". The Mercury News. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ a b c Rosenhall, Laurel (December 6, 2017). "Backlash Ripples Through California Politics After Women Denounce Sexual Harassment". KQED News. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ Koseff, Alexei (November 27, 2017). "Tony Mendoza loses committee posts as Senate investigates sex harassment complaint". The Sacramento Bee. ISSN 0890-5738. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
External links edit
- Official site
- We Said Enough letter (published October 17, 2017)
- Interview with Samantha Corbin