Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer Blog

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.