• 12
  • January
    2012

Between 2000 and 2005, a woman working in the maintenance department at a housing company claims she was groped by a co-worker in the presence of other employees. She recently came forward with her complaint, making her the fifth employee to report sexual harassment while working for this company. Similar cases have been filed in California courtrooms.

The woman stated that she went to lunch in the shop, and she was grabbed in her chest and shaken by a male coworker as soon as she came into the door. She repeatedly asked him to stop, but he refused. When a supervisor walked by and saw the harassment, he told the female employee to ask the male to stop. He followed that up by telling the male to leave her alone, and he walked away without ensuring the matter had been resolved.

Later that same day, a group of employees gathered to meet a new manager. The female was confronted by the same man again, and when she attempted to shake the new manager's hand, he grabbed her again. Even though she was surrounded by people watching, no one did anything to help her.

A few days after the incident, the victim reported the harassment to the Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC), human resources and the South Bend Human Rights Commission. The man's punishment was three days of leave without pay.

The woman did not think the punishment was enough, but she did not think there was anything more she could do. When the man returned to work, the woman was forced to work with him again. One week later, the man was introduced as a reverend at an office party and led the group in prayer. The victim quit her job immediately after the party.

Source: abc57 News, "Fifth accuser comes forward claiming sexual harassment at South Bend Housing Authority," Tony Spehar, Jan. 5, 2012