SHARE

Letter To The Editor: Hold People Accountable For Sexual Harassment

Daily Voice accepts signed and original letters to the editor up to 350 words. To send a letter, e-mail ossining@dailyvoice.com.

Sandy Galef

Sandy Galef

Photo Credit: Contributed

To the Editor,

Sexual harassment is a problem that has permeated our society. It is in

entertainment, in businesses, in schools, in every level of politics, and in

our communities. I have heard stories from so many of my friends, my

constituents, and my colleagues of being sexually assaulted or harassed, and

many of these stories do not end with the aggressor being held accountable

for their actions.

In the wake of the "#MeToo" movement and in response to the many allegations

of sexual harassment and assault that have come forward in recent weeks, I

have introduced legislation to create a unified policy to address sexual

assaults involving New York State employees. This is one step toward a

better system to protect people in the workplace from being targeted, and

give them recourse if they become victims of someone they work with.

However, this is not enough. Every entity must look internally at their

policy for protecting their own, and all allegations must be investigated.

It is unacceptable to brush these things under the rug or to turn a blind

eye. I, and many other women, am tired of hearing the "as a father, as a

husband, I am horrified" speeches upon the media's coverage of a problem

that should have never been allowed to persist. Furthermore, no person

should have to live in silence because of something that happened to them.

The only outcome worse than a blind eye is when a victim does not feel that

they will be taken seriously when coming forward about being harassed or

assaulted.

This is not an issue of one bad actor, or one career track having a toxic

environment. That said, people must be held accountable for their actions.

It does not matter if you are the President, a CEO, a doctor, a parent, a

colleague, a boss, a classmate, or anyone else, an adult must be held

responsible for their actions.

Sandy Galef

to follow Daily Voice Cortlandt and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE