EEOC Releases Preliminary FY 2018 Sexual Harassment Data

"The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced preliminary FY 2018 sexual harassment data today - highlighting its significant work this past fiscal year to address the pervasive problem of workplace harassment. What You Should Know: EEOC Leads the Way in Preventing Workplace Harassment recognizes key milestones of the agency to actively enforce the law, to educate and train workers and employers, and to share its expertise on new solutions to reduce harassing conduct in the workplace.

Combatting all forms of workplace harassment - whether based on sex, race, color, disability, age, national origin, or religion -- remains a top priority of the EEOC. "I am so proud of the EEOC staff who stepped up to the heightened demand of the #MeToo movement to make clear that workplace harassment is not only unlawful, it is simply not acceptable," said Acting Chair Victoria A. Lipnic. "As the agency with expertise, as the enforcer of the law, and as an educator, the EEOC has continued to lead the way to achieve the goal of reducing the level of harassment and to promote harassment-free workplaces.

Based on preliminary data, in FY 2018:

• The EEOC filed 66 harassment lawsuits, including 41 that included allegations of sexual harassment. That reflects more than a 50 percent increase in suits challenging sexual harassment over fiscal year 2017.
• In addition, charges filed with the EEOC alleging sexual harassment increased by more than 12 percent from fiscal year 2017.
• Overall, the EEOC recovered nearly $70 million for the victims of sexual harassment through litigation and administrative enforcement in FY 2018, up from $47.5 million in FY 2017.."
  Sexual harassment data

Sexual Assault Report, Two New Policies Announced

" The Department of Defense (DoD) released today key findings from the Academic Program Year (APY) 2010-2011 “Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies.” The report also contains the results from the “2011 Service Academy Gender Relations Focus Groups.”

"One sexual assault is one too many,” said Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

“Whether it’s in our academies or our ranks, at sea or ashore, there’s no place for this unacceptable behavior. We treat each other with dignity in this institution. I expect everyone in this department to live up to that high standard. This is a leadership issue, first and foremost, so I also expect us to lead with integrity and with energy to eliminate sexual assault and harassment from our culture. I’m confident the steps we are taking are the right ones, but we must continue to improve.”

One of the department’s strategic priorities is to address the increase in the number of reports made to authorities to ensure victims obtain needed support and services..."