WASHINGTON – New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is part of a bipartisan push aiming to stop perpetrators from silencing victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment.
The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act would nullify forced arbitration clauses that the lawmakers believe shield celebrities and corporations but fail to protect victims of these offenses.
Gillibrand announced the new legislation yesterday at a press conference with former Fox News Anchor Gretchen Carlson, who left Fox during a sexual harassment scandal.
“Too often, survivors of sexual assault and harassment in the workplace come forward but they are then told that they are legally forbidden to sue their employer because their employment contracts include forced arbitration clauses,” said Gillibrand. “Instead of being allowed to have their day in court, these survivors are pushed to a system designed to protect the same corporation they are actually challenging.”
Among the other legislators endorsing the bill are senators Lindsey Graham and Dick Durbin, as well as U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos, Morgan Griffith and Pramila Jayapal.
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