Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer Blog

A recent case out of Washington D.C. shows us that sexual harassment in Los Angeles is not simply a problem at work.

While most of the cases stem from some kind of situation with an employee who is harassed by a co-worker or supervisor, this isn't the only place it can happen. Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers recognize that sexual harassment is sometimes as much about power as it is sex.

There are people in power who have influence over others' lives, not only at work, but also in government, private businesses or in consumer settings. Workplace harassment perhaps is most common because people are working together on a daily basis and supervisors hold power over the training, promotions, assignments and other facets of a worker's life.

In this case, women's groups in Washington D.C. are fighting back against sexual harassment on the District's subway system. They say that sexual harassment is happening on buses and trains. They say that women have been harassed by other passengers and workers did nothing to stop it. In some situations, the employees themselves were doing the harassing.

Women reported being groped by strangers and reporting it to employees, who laughed off the allegations. A local group created a website that began to document incidents of sexual harassment on the public transportation lines.

Advocates are now asking for more training for employees, a public service campaign to try to stop it and a better database to record instances of sexual harassment. Groups recently testified before city council to try to address the issue.

Metro leaders have said most of their training deals with employee-to-employee issues. Leaders said that people simply giving leering looks isn't a violation of law and comments about a person's looks aren't arrestable offenses. Still, they encourage people to report these things to transit workers.

Some advocates believe that there is a difference between flirting and harassment and that can lead to a person feeling uncomfortable if the advances are continuous. That's when workers should be called on to step in.

Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers believe that businesses and government entities should be held liable for these types of situations. Sexual harassment can make a person feel unsafe. When it's in a public transportation station, they can feel even more uncomfortable and vulnerable. There should be protections to stop this type of behavior.

Being a victim of sexual harassment can lead to emotional turmoil on top of the issues of feeling victimized and violated. In a workplace, it can cause lead to a major life disruption if a person must now consider finding new employment. In public, it can lead to a sense of mistrust and frustration. This type of situation is inappropriate and unlawful. These victims require strong legal representation at every stage to try to right these wrongs.

Continue reading "Sexual Harassment in Los Angeles: Can Happen At Work, In Public" »

A restaurant in Chicago is being sued for sexual harassment after 19 female employees claimed they were subjected to sexual harassment at work, the Chicago Tribune is reporting.

Many restaurants throughout the nation have built up their business not necessarily on the quality of their food, but rather their atmosphere. Hooters, for example, is famous for short shorts and tight shirts, as well as their wings. Other local businesses have seen the success they can have with this type of set up.

But where is the line between sexual harassment in Los Angeles and a sexy working atmosphere? Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers believe these types of situations invite opportunities for harassment and an uncomfortable working environment.

Female waitresses and bartenders who are asked to wear skimpy clothing may be put in uncomfortable positions not only by patrons, but also bosses. As employers see that sex sells and their customers want more, they make ask employees to wear more revealing clothing or engage in inappropriate work situations simply to promote the company.

According to the news article, a Celtic-themed sports bar in Chicago that employs servers who wear revealing clothing was sued by 19 female employees. Last year, the women filed a sexual harassment complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC recently sent them letters authorizing them to sue, leading to a recent lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, managers and owners allegedly created a "sexually hostile, offensive and humiliating" work environment. The women said the work environment was not only unwanted and unwelcome, but was ongoing, rather than a one-time situation.

Some examples cited in the lawsuit:

• A straw of water placed down a worker's outfit, followed by a comment, "I'm trying to get your panties wet."


• Stating to employees, "Meow, meow, you're a dirty kitty."


• Another comment, "You don't know what I'd like to do to you."

Along with alleging sexual harassment, the lawsuit also alleges the restaurant retaliated against the women who complained, giving them limited or poor shifts. Some of the women still work there, but most left before last year. The manager cited in the lawsuit was later fired.

There is a fine line in situations like these because while the theme of the restaurant may be sexiness, that doesn't mean employees and, more specifically, employers, are allowed to be inappropriate. Regardless of the clothing worn at the workplace, employees shouldn't be subjected to inappropriate comments and certainly not actions of a sexual nature.

Every company must provide sexual harassment training to prevent situations like this. Workers are there to do a job, not to be put in an awkward and frustrating situation. That's why these woman filed a lawsuit. They felt they were harassed. It will be difficult for the company to overcome these facts.

It's important for employees put in these types of situations to seek out competent legal counsel. An experienced Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer can help give direction on what type of complaints or lawsuits to file and how best to proceed. Have a strong advocate by your side.

Continue reading "Is It Sexual Harassment At Restaurants Where Sex Sells?" »

A probation officer in Alameda County has been placed on administrative leave after a probation officer filed a $1.5 million sexual harassment and sexual assault claim, the Pleasanton Patch is reporting.

Sexual harassment in Los Angeles can be a serious offense because it can ruin an employee's ability to work. If a co-worker creates an uncomfortable work environment, the victim struggles to continue his or her work. The harassment needs to be stopped in order for there to be a productive work environment.

Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers have seen claims ranging from inappropriate touching and conversations and emails that bring up explicit sexual discussion to actual sexual contact, as in this case. While sexual harassment cases can vary in severity, even the slightest acts of sexual harassment should be reported. This type of behavior should be completely intolerable in any work setting.

According to the news report the chief probation officer was hired after holding similar positions in Washington D.C. as well as New York City. The 38-year-old wasn't available for comment for the story.

In the claim, which is a precursor to an actual lawsuit, the probation officer alleges that the supervisor harassed her. He noticed that she had a discoloration on her neck and made several comments about it. He then called it a hickey.

In the same week, the supervisor asked the alleged victim to pick him up at the airport so that he could get a ride to a speaking engagement in Oakland. Once the woman picked him up, he instructed her to drive him to a local marina, which was empty.

When the car was parked, he allegedly grabbed her head and started kissing her. The claim alleges that the man told her "we would make some pretty babies." As the woman allegedly tried to pull away, he forcibly and aggressively groped her.

The next day, the man allegedly sent several text messages and asked her to meet him. She met him and his brother at a restaurant and again the man displayed aggressive behavior. He allegedly made her touch his groin area, which "excited" him. When she resisted, he left angrily.

The claim accuses the boss of sexual assault, false imprisonment, gender violence, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault and sexual battery. The woman claims that based on his actions, she suffered economic and mental distress.

This is an extreme example, but these kinds of actions can cause employees to have severe emotional problems. No one wants to be uncomfortable at work. The stress already present on the job can make maintaining work relationships difficult enough.

But when a supervisor or co-worker attempts or succeeds in sexually assaulting or harassing a co-worker, the stress and emotional problems are taken to a new level. This happens when policies and procedures that are put in place aren't followed. The company, as well as co-workers, can be held liable in many cases. This is a difficult situation, especially for the victim, who must now try to cope with the fact that they have been severely violated.

Continue reading "Probation Officer Put on Leave After Los Angeles Sexual Harassment Complaint" »

Big news throughout Los Angeles recently has been related to a teacher accused of blindfolding children, taping their mouths, putting cockroaches on their faces and even possibly feeding them semen on a spoon.

Two teachers have been charged with crimes related to this alleged activity. The big question is why it wasn't stopped or reported sooner. Some experts are looking to school officials to determine why policies, especially related to sexual harassment in Los Angeles, weren't followed or enforced.

Sadly, Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers have seen that sexual harassment can happen in schools. Students, just like fellow teachers, must be protected from this form of harassment. Regardless of the setting, whether in government work, private business or an educational setting, no one should have to endure sexual harassment.

In schools, teachers may be tempted to flirt with students who are more advanced in age. In college, perhaps this is more of an issue than in high school or middle school.

Flirting isn't the only way sexual harassment can happen. Often, sexual harassment isn't about sex or sexual attraction, but exhibiting power. Many times, a person in power -- in this case, a teacher or professor -- can use that influence to attempt to put pressure on the student. They make inappropriate sexual references or take other actions that can make a student uncomfortable.

This puts the victim in a difficult position. For a middle school student, they may not know how to process the information and may be likely to hide what has happened. Their grades and behavior may suffer. The same could happen to high school students, though if they are older, they may be more likely to report. Still, they will have to endure rumors and pressure from peers.

In college, this could ruin a student's experience. They may be excited about their new field, but after suffering harassment by a professor they regularly see, it could cause them to transfer. With universities often protective of professors, a successful complaint could require a high standard of proof.

Not reporting it will simply allow the behavior to continue. Handling it alone, though, could be a big mistake. These topics are important to address and also are risky. Ensuring that a person is well-represented is critical.

According to news reports regarding the Los Angeles case, a veteran middle school teacher was arrested after photos surfaced of the alleged violations against students. A second teacher has also been arrested for alleged lewd acts against two girls who were 7 years-old.

One thing officials are looking at is whether proper sexual harassment procedures and training was followed by co-workers. In many situations, co-workers, as well as supervisors, are responsible for recognizing acts that could be construed as sexual harassment. There may also be times where these signs can be pointed out to protect subordinates and other clients.

If co-workers noticed something wrong but didn't do anything, they, too, could be held liable. This is why it's important for these cases to be fully investigated to ensure that rules and laws are followed.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Schools Abuse Case Brings up Questions of Sexual Harassment Policies" »

Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers have seen many examples of Los Angeles-area governmental agencies that have struggled with employees and supervisors who just don't understand how to comply with sexual harassment laws.

On the one hand, some people simply don't get that making lewd comments, sending inappropriate emails or making sexually aggressive moves toward co-workers is not only wrong, but also unlawful. On the other, government entities, private businesses and all types of employers must have strong sexual harassment policies in place in order to stop such behavior from happening in the first place.

Sexual harassment in Los Angeles is an important issue and one that can divide an office, cause tension between the aggressor and the victim and make a person unwilling to work at a place that they previously loved. And unless a victim is willing to step up and fight back, this type of harassment can continue.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Fire Department recently settled a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a firefighter who claims that he was repeatedly harassed by other firefighters. The department recently paid him $500,000 to settle a lawsuit he filed against the agency.

According to the newspaper report, a firefighter and engineer with the department filed a discrimination charge in 2007, claiming that he faces continual harassment from co-workers. The man claims that the harassment started a year earlier when he sued the Los Angeles Archdiocese over alleged sexual abuse.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says that when a coworker learned of the lawsuit, the man became mocked by co-workers. They would use explicit and offensive sexual and religious epithets.

Recently, the department announced it would pay the man $494,150 to settle the case. The department also will be required to enforce policies against discrimination, retaliation as well as harassment. An external EEOC complaint procedure will also be put into place for future claims. The department failed to return calls seeking comment.

While many people believe that sexual harassment claims are only filed by women, this story proves that is only a stereotype. Any person would be able to see how devastating this scenario would be to a worker, regardless of their gender.

Being sexually harassed at work goes beyond having someone send an inappropriate email or making a racy joke. Any talk of sex that makes the person feel uncomfortable or is used in a way that degrades or bothers them, can qualify as harassment. If nothing is done, it will simply continue.

An employee deserves to work with people who respect them and who are willing to follow the laws as well as company procedures when it comes to sexual harassment. They should be able to enjoy their work and what they do without feeling nervous and awkward every time they show up. Sexual harassment changes everything.

Continue reading "LAFD Settles Sexual Harassment Lawsuit With Firefighter" »