Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer Blog

Some people believe that the only place you may find sexual harassment in Los Angeles is inside sleek glass office buildings, inside board rooms or at government buildings.

But is has been well documented in recent years that high schools and colleges have been prone to sexual harassment allegations and not just within the professors' lounge. Many students have come out with allegations against faculty and staff, claiming that they were subjected to sexual harassment.

Our Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers believe that sexual harassment shouldn't happen anywhere, but it certainly shouldn't be happening to our young people. Going through school, whether high school or college, is enough of a challenge without having to deal with sex-based harassment.

The added pressures of being sexually harassed can do nothing but harm. As we reported on our blog in November, nearly 1 in 2 students -- 48 percent -- report they have been sexually harassed at least once in middle or high school. The fact that it's starting in middle school is horrendous.

What better setting for sexual harassment to run rampant than at colleges and universities? There, professors are tenured and well-respected. They have built up good will and are presented with thousands of co-eds, many young and attractive. But some, rather than focusing on their jobs and their task of educating young people and preparing them for a successful future, are using their power to sexually harass students or other co-workers. This is simply not acceptable, but it happens.

The University City Patch recently reported that a former Washington University graduate student filed a lawsuit recently against the St. Louis college, alleging that a printmaking professor sexually harassed her.

According to the news story, the university filed a lawsuit against the Missouri Commission on Human Rights asking the court to stop an investigation into the discrimination allegations. The court in that case has yet to rule.

According to the woman's lawsuit, she alleges the professor was assigned to be her advisor and that he suggested her work include violence, assault and rape against women. He further directed her to use big, silicone, human-like breasts on animals and make blood a part of her work, including sexually suggestive and violent topics, the lawsuit states.

He also allegedly said he needed a "hot blonde" to sell his work and told the student she needed to use her "sex appeal" to sell his work.

In a case out of South Carolina, a former women's soccer top recruit filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the university and five officials alleging she was harassed and denied a scholarship because of unwanted sexual advances from a coach.

Rather than conduct an investigation, the lawsuit states, officials steered conversations with the student's parents into trying to pacify them. An advisor told her the coach had had other allegations with students.

Not reporting sexual harassment at school allows it to continue. The only way to stop it is to ensure officials know. Getting sound legal advice from an experienced Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer should be your first step.

Continue reading "School Sexual Harassment in Los Angeles Happens, but it Should be Stopped" »

There are uncomfortable work situations every day that rise to the level of sexual harassment in Los Angeles.

Whether legal or not, many workers believe they can get away with sexual harassment and suffer no consequences. Workplaces where this is the norm must be transformed. People simply shouldn't have to be subjected to this type of behavior on a daily basis, or at all.

Our Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers have seen the emotional torment that people have endured because they don't want to go to work, feel ostracized or experience trepidation or stress because of their work environment. Our attorneys are prepared to fight to ensure that this doesn't continue.

Sexual harassment allegations doesn't mean a victim should "toughen up," "be apart of the team" or "let it go." This is a serious violation that cannot continue. A victim of sexual harassment may be asked to perform sexual acts in order to get a job or earn a promotion, they may be subjected to unwanted touching, comments or sexual banter.

Co-workers may make sexually based jokes that are inappropriate or make a person feel uncomfortable or send out emails that likewise reference sex and can victimize colleagues.

At any rate, as Business Insurance rightly points out, sexual harassment is a big workplace problem and can be fueled by social media as well as environments where it is allowed to happen.

The trade publication points to more informal work environments, the use of social media by many people and human nature as reasons why sexual harassment is still a big problem in American businesses. Experts say employers should create strongly worded policies, increase training and create a sexual harassment policy to address the issue.

Herman Cain's recent decision to suspend his bid for President because of sexual harassment allegations has brought the issue to the forefront in recent months. In 2010, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reported there were nearly 12,000 complaints of sexual harassment.

The article reports that the Society for Human Resource Management reported that 64 percent of organizations got at least one sexual harassment claim in the previous two years. It is an issue that continues coming up, even though it should be preventable with a little common sense, courtesy and decency.

While sexual harassment is still a problem, some 20 to 30 years after it was first recognized as an issue, it has changed, experts say. In years past, victims were asked for sexual favors and, typically, the victims were women. Now, more women are perpetrators compared to the past, and a hostile work environment is the bigger issue rather than asking for sex.

Analysts say that most people who create these environments do so because they don't believe the rules apply to them and they feel they can do what they want. With workplaces becoming less formal, the lines between home and work behavior have become blurred.

Continue reading "Sexual Harassment in Los Angeles Still a Serious Workplace Problem" »

Major controversy erupted in North Carolina recently when a school system suspended a 9-year-old boy because he called his teacher "cute," Fox News reports.

Certainly sexual harassment anywhere, including sexual harassment in Los Angeles, is a serious offense. And as we have reported on Sexual Harassment Lawyer Blog, half of students feel they have been sexually harassed at school.

So, the issue of sexual harassment at school is an issue that must be addressed. But, there also must be perspective in situations like this. Most people who are guilty of sexual harassment, our Los Angeles sexual assault attorneys have found, are adult men in corporate settings. This doesn't mean that women can't be the perpetrators -- that certainly happens as well.

But to consider a child, not even a teenager, was punished for sexual harassment seems to be quite a stretch. According to Fox News, the boy's mother got a call from the principal at the elementary school, who said the comment of calling a teacher "cute" was a form of sexual harassment. The boy was suspended for two days.

An official said the boy was suspended for "inappropriate behavior" for making "inappropriate statements." The news comes as Massachusetts officials are investigating claims of sexual harassment after a first-grader struck another boy his age in the groin. Those boys are 7.

The Charlotte Observer is reporting that the long-time principal of the North Carolina school in question has recently resigned.

The man has worked in the school district for more than 40 years and resigned from the elementary school because of the flap caused by his decision to suspend the 9-year-old. The newspaper reports the boy called a teacher "fine." The boy told his mother he said "cute."

School officials reviewed the case, the newspaper reports, and found that the boy was not guilty of sexual harassment as the mother was first told and his suspension was later erased from his record.

The school administrator -- with 15 years as a principal and 34 years of experience in the system -- told a newspaper he was forced to resign or be fired. School officials said he resigned.

The awareness of sexual harassment has moved in waves in this country. At times, people have seemed to be aware of it and at other times, its importance to some people has waned.

Every day, it happens. Sexual harassment in Los Angeles is a problem, yet many corporations don't take it seriously. Saying something of a sexual nature in a business setting is inappropriate and unlawful. Sending vulgar and sexually themed e-mails and asking for sexual favors in exchange for work or promotions are all offenses that can be used in support of a sexual harassment lawsuit.

Continue reading "9-Year-Old Suspended From School For 'Cute' Comment, Sexual Harassment" »

It seems like ages ago that we were first hearing about allegations that Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain had engaged in sexual harassment when he headed up the National Restaurant Association.

In only three weeks, it seems his campaign has imploded and may soon be over. Herman Cain has gone from atop the polls to the bottom after two more women came forward alleging sexual harassment, and another now says the two had an "on and off" affair for the last 13 years.

As the Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer Blog reported in early November, Cain's alleged conduct follows the path of many men and women in power in the United States today.

In workplaces where this conduct goes unreported, it flourishes. If people in power, typically bosses or supervisors, are allowed to use that power and influence to hold it over subordinates, the workplace is a prime place for sexual harassment in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers see everyday examples of offices or organizations where sexually explicit e-mails, offensive jokes or even outward requests for sexual favors are made. All of these are blatant examples of sexual harassment.

Co-workers simply aren't allowed to make sexual jokes, make unwanted touches, talk about sex or do other unlawful acts. But the power comes in the victim. If the victim decides to "let it go" or "move on," requests a transfer simply to get away or just "deal with it," the issue will only continue. And if the victim believes that ignoring it will make it go away, it may go away for one person, but another may fall victim.

A recent Wall Street Journal article looks at whether Cain will continue running his campaign despite the backlash. Cain has denied all allegations, but there have been five such examples of alleged sexual misbehavior in the last month. He has told the news media he will make a decision soon.

In the first allegations, the news media reported that two women had reached settlements with the restaurant association after Cain allegedly sexually harassed them while he was in leadership. Then, two additional women came forward in the weeks after the story broke, also alleging harassment.

Then, most recently, a Georgia woman said Cain, the former Godfather's Pizza CEO, had an "on and off" affair with her for more than a decade. She told a TV station he would buy her gifts and send her on trips to destination spots to meet up with him.

Sexual harassment is a major allegation. And while it may be looked at less seriously than in years past, Americans still treat it as a big misstep. But, strangely, victims don't always report it. They sometimes think that if they do, their careers could suffer. That's called retaliation and that's also unlawful. There are laws to protect victims and Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers are here to help.

Continue reading "Herman Cain's Presidential Campaign in Shambles After Sexual Harassment, Affair Allegations" »

A shocking case out of Martinez, near San Francisco, revealed a district attorney's office prosecution unit that was rife with sexual harassment, court documents revealed.

The Los Angeles Times reports that after a prosecutor was charged with raping a co-worker with whom he had a sexual relationship -- charges were later dropped. Officials discovered that the attorneys would discuss at length their sexual histories and preferences at work and after work. Some also said that prosecuting sex crimes gave them ideas for what they could do in bed.

This case is disturbing on several levels. For one, that attorneys, called to prosecute crimes that can cause lifelong trauma to a victim and can include life in prison for a defendant, would consider these crimes fodder for their own sexual deviance is appalling. But second to that, this shows that this office had a culture of sexual harassment in the workplace that likely violated every policy and law in the book.

Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers have seen offices where a culture exists that allows people to violate sexual harassment laws without consequence. This can only stop if someone steps up and puts an end to it.

The article goes on to state that the sex crimes prosecutor was on his way to work when a police officer handcuffed him and told him he had been indicted on a charge of suspicion of rape. Another prosecutor in the office called police and said she had been raped during their lunch hour as the 54-year-old was awaiting a jury verdict in a molestation case he was responsible for trying.

She said she wanted to have sex with him, but not the "kinky" sex -- with ice cubes, an ice pick, handcuffs and a gun -- that she classified as a brutal rape. She testified to the grand jury, which indicted the man. They had had sex before and he told police the sex was rough but consensual.

After three years, a judge dismissed the charges because the grand jury didn't hear evidence that may have undermined the credibility of the alleged victim, the Times reports.

But the case blew open a secret culture inside the district attorney's office, which workers referred to as a "sex club" where co-workers had co-ed "slumber parties" and photographed themselves in sexually provocative poses. They would use sexual jargon in the office, discuss their sexual activities at lunch and some said they enjoyed their work because it gave them ideas for the bedroom.

Court documents suggest that the victim, who scored poorly on job performance evaluations and wasn't offered a full-time job, had motivation to lie. Her bosses allowed the two to work together for four months before charges were filed, suggesting they didn't trust her account.

Office members are now getting training about what constitutes sexual harassment, which obviously was not made a priority before now. The attorney general's office, who handled the case because of a potential conflict of interest within the district attorney's office, hasn't decided whether to appeal the ruling or re-file charges. The alleged victim has since moved to Florida.

Continue reading "Rape Prosecution Affirms D.A.'s Office Rife With Sexual Harassment" »

A recent poll conducted by ABC News and The Washington Post found that 1 in 4 American women claim they have been sexually harassed on the job, Forbes Magazine reports.

This is a disturbing statistic to think that millions of women face sexual harassment in Los Angeles and nationwide on a daily basis at work. A workplace should be free of that type of stress since there is likely many other areas that are stress-inducing.

Newport Beach sexual harassment lawyers have seen the emotional trauma that facing sexual harassment can cause to a victim of this type of behavior. It can be as simple as a snide sexual comment in the break room at lunch or a dirty e-mail that's inappropriate. Some co-workers take it as far as to hit on a co-worker or seek sexual favors for job promotions or hiring.

In light of the news of sexual harassment allegations against presidential hopeful Herman Cain, more and more is being said about this type of harassment. It can happen at work, in member-based organizations and even in public settings. None of it is lawful.

The Forbes column looks at the fact that sexual harassment has been going on for decades and yet there are still incidents of this happening every day. A recent survey cited by the article states that only 64 percent of Americans see harassment as a serious on-the-job problem, a drop from 88 percent in 1992.

Some female journalists have said that young professional women are more apt to shovel these sexual harassment incidents under the table and continue doing their jobs because they have tough skin. Another opinion is that they may get pressure from other female co-workers who don't want to "rock the boat" and get looked down upon by their male bosses.

Some female work advice columns, the article states, encourages women not to report harassment. They say a better avenue is to ask for a transfer, to report to a different boss. The mentality sometimes is that troublemakers will get looked down upon and that female employees should be able to take a joke.

But it's not a joke -- it's a power struggle and it can be damaging. No one should be forced to endure a work environment where they are uncomfortable, or worse, subjected to a daily routine of frustration.

The only way to make the behavior stop is with the help of an experienced Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer. Trying to brush it off only encourages the behavior to continue. If a person is sexually harassed at work and nothing is said, a culture that says it's OK for sexual harassment to occur is born. It must be put to a stop and that only happens if action is taken. Otherwise, it will continue and will get worse.

Continue reading "1 in 4 Women Have Been Sexually Harassed in Los Angeles, Poll Finds" »

A recent study by the American Association of University Women found that 48 percent of high school and middle school students surveyed believe they have been sexually harassed at least once, typically by their peers, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Allegations of sexual harassment in Los Angeles, regardless of the setting, is inappropriate. Sexual harassment comes in many forms and from many people. It is as simple as someone sending an e-mail that has sexual overtones and makes someone uncomfortable. It can be as extreme as someone asking for sexual favors in order to get or keep a job.

Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers have seen everything in between. In many cases, people who commit these unlawful acts are in a position of power and use that power to ensure they don't get caught.

In office or business settings, this typically can happen when there is a culture that allows for these things to go on. If no one else is reporting it, a person may feel he or she would be a "tattletale" if they step up and fight back. Or, given our difficult economic climate, a person could feel nervous that he or she would be retaliated against if they spoke up.

While this harassment shouldn't be going on at work, it certainly shouldn't be happening to our children. But it is, a new survey found. Of the respondents, 48 percent said they have been sexually harassed in school -- middle and high school. That means that children around 12 to 18 feel that they have been sexually harassed.

Girls are more likely to be sexually harassed -- "unwelcome sexual behavior that takes place in person or electronically" -- in the survey than boys. About 56 percent of girls said they were sexually harassed at least once in the last school year. Thirty percent said the harassment came electronically, while 44 percent said it happened in person. The electronic harassment could have come via text message, Facebook or email.

The survey asked 1,965 students in both private and public schools. Girls, whose bodies were more developed than their peers', were more likely to be harassed. Boys who are overweight or "not very masculine" were more likely to be opened up to harassment.

About 13 percent of girls said they were touched in an unwelcome sexual way, while the majority -- 33 percent -- said they were the target of unwelcome sexual comments or jokes. Another 18 percent said they were called gay or lesbian in a negative way.

The problem here is that these remarks can have a long-term effect on the students. Eighty seven percent of respondents said the harassment had detrimental effects on them. About 33 percent said they didn't want to attend school after and some had difficulty sleeping or studying.

This happens to adults, too. Many victims of sexual harassment don't want to go to work where they feel they are opened up to sexual advances. This can cause depression or other mental issues. Sexual harassment in Los Angeles is serious and can have long-term consequences. Discuss your case with a lawyer today.

Continue reading "Survey Finds That Half of Students Sexually Harassed in Los Angeles Schools" »

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Republican Presidential hopeful Herman Cain was hit with sexual harassment charges in recent years, which has thus far become a hot political topic as the candidates race toward the nomination.

Allegations of sexual harassment in Los Angeles for instance can range from unwelcome sexual advances to requests for sexual favors, sexually offensive jokes and touching that is considered inappropriate.

In workplaces where this type of environment is allowed and unlawful activities persist, an experienced Orange County sexual harassment lawyer can be important. In atmospheres where bosses use their power and influence to allow this type of behavior, a lawsuit may be the only thing that can stop the problems at work.

Politico recently reported that two female employees of the National Restaurant Association accused Cain of improper conduct while he was the organization's chief between 1996 and 1999. The unidentified women signed agreements with the association that included financial payouts and required they not speak about the alleged incidents.

Cain denounced the allegations, saying he has never sexually harassed anyone in his 40 years of business experience. The Los Angeles Times reports that in several interviews following the story being published, Cain gave different accounts of what happened.

In one interview, Cain said he didn't know if the association had settled with anyone over the allegations, but said he hoped it wasn't for much money. Later that day, he denied the charges and said he didn't know if the charges were settled or how much might have been paid out by the trade group. He said he stood aside and allowed the group to handle the issue.

In another TV appearance, Cain said the association settled with one woman, saying it may have been for several months' salary, which was less than she demanded. He said in another interview that he didn't believe he had acted behaved inappropriately. "But as you would imagine, it's in the eye of the person who thinks that maybe I crossed the line."

Some GOP strategists believe the episode could help the campaign as backers label the situation as the "liberal media" trying to take him down, but other analysts believe that the issue could be troubling to donors who don't like Cain's seemingly unprepared campaign.

Regardless, it appears from the fact that there was a settlement that some type of sexual harassment happened, though based on the terms of the settlement reported in the article, we probably will never know the details.

Sexual harassment in Los Angeles can happen anyplace -- from business offices to government offices and many places in between.

Harassment happens when people in power feel they have no accountability. They believe they can treat co-workers how they wish, even if that includes sexually based conversations and e-mails or even groping and touching inappropriately. It's all unlawful and must be stopped.

Continue reading "Presidential Hopeful Herman Cain Attacked With Sexual Harassment Claims" »

Amanda Knox recently voiced claims that an Italian prison administrator engaged in sexual harassment acts during her time in prison overseas. Knox recently completed a four-year sentence for previous allegations of sexual harassment and murdering her roommate in 2007. She was released from the Italian prison and returned to her home in Seattle, according to CBS News.

Knox recently released a letter to the public in which she describes the sexual intimidation and manipulation that she fell victim to in the Italian prison. According to her reports, a male administrator in the prison would escort her up to an office, by herself at night, and would say a number of inappropriate things to her. These discussions were mainly of a sexual nature.

No person should be subjected to conversations that make him or her uncomfortable, especially when the conversation is about sex. Sexual harassment in Los Angeles and elsewhere can occur by unwanted conversations, acts, behaviors or rumors that affect another person. The man would attempt to discuss her sexual history and desires, and she was afraid not to cooperate as she believed she could face even more graphic harassment.

Our Orange County sexual harassment attorneys believe that no one should have to tolerate being the victim of sexual harassment, not even in prison. These acts make individuals very uncomfortable as the gestures, discussions and behaviors are unwanted. If you have been subjected to such behavior, you are urged to contact an attorney to help you fight for your rights.

"He was fixated on the topic of sex, with whom I'd done it, how I liked it, if I would like to do it with him," stated a letter from Knox.

The former University of Washington student went on to say that when the administrator would approach the topic of sex with her, she would try to change the subject, but he wouldn't follow. She felt he was trying to get a reaction out of her, to test her, to get some information out of her. She says that at the time she didn't realize the seriousness of the situation. The letter does not specify when it was written or which man she is accusing of sexual harassment.

Amanda Knox's story was recently discussed by Van Sant on the "The Early Show." A show special on her case was scheduled to broadcast, but reports of the sexual harassment leaked beforehand.

"Amanda eventually came to believe that the administrator's real motive was to intimidate her and provoke her to say something that would support the prosecution's theory that she really was a sex-crazed killer," wrote the CBS website.

A court in Perugia recently released Knox and her ex-boyfriend after being acquitted of the charges from the 2007 murder of a British student after an alleged violent sex game. Knox is hopeful she can turn her racy story into a top-selling book.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Sexual Harassment Watch: Amanda Knox Claim" »

As we approach the holiday season, many stores and retail outlets will be hiring temporary employees to meet with buyer demand. During this time, a sexual harassment primer is always a good idea.

Sexual harassment in Los Angeles and elsewhere can be classified as requests for sexual favors, unwelcome sexual advances and other physical or verbal harassment of a sexual nature, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. There are many forms of sexual harassment and anyone can be a victim.

Our Orange County sexual harassment attorneys would like to discuss exactly what sexual harassment is to help you to determine if you're experiencing anything like this in your workplace. If you feel you've been the victim of sexual harassment, you're urged to report the behavior to a supervisor and to contact an experienced attorney to help you fight for your rights. Employees are protected from any unwanted acts, and employers are required to take the appropriate actions to help ensure that this behavior doesn't happen. Employers must also be prepared to take appropriate actions when sexual harassment is alleged.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 defines sexual harassment as the rejection or submission to this conduct that affects a person's employment status, interferes with work duties or creates a hostile, intimidating or offensive work place.

Sexual harassment can include, but is not limited to:

-The victim can be either a man or a woman, and the victim does not have to be of the opposite sex of the offender.

-The harasser can be anyone on the job, including a co-worker, supervisor, an agent, a non-employee, or a worker in a completely different area of the company.

-The victim doesn't necessarily have to be the one who was harassed. It could be anyone who has been affected by inappropriate conduct.

-Sexual harassment can happen even when a worker is not discharged or suffers no economic injury.

-The conduct of the harasser must be unwelcome by the victim.

Sexual harassment acts can include:

-Attempted or actual sexual assault or rape.

-Undesired pressure for sexual favors.

-Unwanted leaning over, touching, pinching or cornering.

-Unwanted and inappropriate gestures or looks.

-Telephone calls, letters and other materials with a sexual undertone that are unwanted.

-Spreading lies and rumors about a person's sex life.

-Giving personal gifts.

-Touching oneself in a sexual manner in the presence of another person.

-Using unwanted nicknames such as honey, doll, baby or hunk.

-Whistling at someone (also known as cat calls).

-Telling sexual stories or jokes.

-Looking a person up and down (also known as elevator eyes).

-Inappropriately touching another person.

If you feel you have been the victim of any of the listed acts, you're urged to report the behavior. If you feel you're not being treated fairly on the job, please contact an attorney to help you to fight for your rights. All employers are required to provide a safe and comfortable workplace for employees.

Continue reading "Employers Urged to Address Sexual Harassment Risks in Los Angeles" »

The Los Angeles Times Magazine's former publisher has filed suit against the Tribune Company, asking for $13 million for what he claims was wrongful termination, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and violations of business and professions code, The Wrap reports.

Wrongful termination in Los Angeles, especially cases in which men are involved and sexual harassment is alleged, has become more and more common.

Many years ago, sexual harassment claims in Los Angeles typically were filed by women who said they were being treated unfairly. But that has changed. Men are now not only subjected to sexual harassment, but have become confident to report it -- two critical changes in our country's workforce in recent years.

Like any sexual harassment claim, the victim mustn't attempt to go about this type of action alone. It is a complex area of law and requires the trained eye of a Newport Beach sexual harassment lawyer. Because the stakes are high -- a person's job is on the line and high dollar amounts hang in the balance -- an experienced lawyer must be called in to help.

According to the article, the man filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court saying he witnessed sexual harassment and was rebuffed when he tried to contact Human Resources to report it.

He also alleges that customers in low-income and "demographically minority neighborhoods" called to complaint that they weren't receiving the magazine even though they were paying the full subscription price like everyone else.

When he went to his boss, he was told there was a "story" to explain the situation.

After bringing forth both complaints, he claims his character was attacked by higher-ups in order to make him look bad in front of co-workers and loosen his grip of power on the operation. Later, he was fired for "poor revenue," "damaged relationships" and an "inability to manage his direct reports."

He denies those claims, saying he got bonuses for meeting high revenue marks during his tenure with the magazine. He believes he was fired because he brought up sexual harassment in the workplace and because he was concerned about the unethical distribution of the magazine.

He is seeking $13 million in damages, mostly due to loss of salary and emotional distress, but also due to damage of his reputation. He claims his bosses went to great lengths to defame him and make it difficult for him to get work in the future.

Lawsuits like these take a lot of courage and the right set of circumstances. They can serve to not only help a victim of wrongful termination and sexual harassment, but also change the culture of a company.

If bosses allow unlawful treatment of their employees, it often takes a big-dollar settlement or jury verdict to get them to change their tune and create change. Other employees may not want to come forward with complaints, but even one whistle-blower can make a big difference.

Continue reading "L.A. Times Magazine Former Publisher Sues For Sexual Harassment" »

Los Angeles Downtown News is reporting that several lawsuits alleging both racism and sexual harassment at the Los Angeles Police Department have caused a shakeup in personnel.

Allegations of sexual harassment are nothing new at the police department, unfortunately. Our Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers have chronicled on our blog the plight of department officials, who have done little to change the atmosphere for officers and staff.

And that's what these types of cases come down to -- atmosphere. If a work environment allows this type of behavior and employees aren't willing to step up and challenge it, the problem will persist. So, while it is incumbent upon employers to do the right thing, often employees are the ones who must create the change by standing up against the issue.

According to the lawsuit, staff members from the department's Central Division have been named in several lawsuits alleging both racial and sexual harassment. Officers allege that command staff tolerate the harassment and have been unwilling to stop it.

Four officers and two sergeants have been transferred and were downgraded in rank, the article states. The city is now fighting three lawsuits filed by officers in the division's Community Relations Department.

The lawsuits allege that the department allowed for supervisors to make racial and sexually motivated remarks and pranks that became embedded in the culture of the office. Some examples cited by the article:

• A sergeant presenting a black officer with a cake topped with a slice of watermelon and a piece of fried chicken


• The same sergeant sending racially sensitive text messages about an officer who is of Mexican descent


• The sergeant removing one officer from an overtime detail and putting his wife, another officer, in that spot

The officers all allege they brought their concerns and examples to a captain who was in charge of the sergeant, though he refused to mete out discipline. LAPD officials deny any wrongdoing and say the department's atmosphere is full of jokes and pranks that aren't intended to be malicious.

But the officers allege not only were they subjected to the harassment and racial comments, but they were transferred to less-than-desirable locations after complaining about their treatment. They believe they were retaliated against for speaking out about the behavior of their superiors.

This, too, isn't uncommon. When people bring up complaints about poor treatment and sexual harassment, their employers sometimes will attempt to retaliate against them by treating them poorly or even firing them. This is another reason why consulting with an attorney is critical in order to craft a well-written and researched lawsuit to protect your rights.

Continue reading "LAPD Sexual Harassment Causes Division Shakeup" »

Siegfried & Roy, famous Las Vegas entertainers, have won more than $37,000 in a suit that was filed against Roy because of faulty allegations of sexual harassment from one of the performer's assistants, according to the Las Vegas Sun.

A Las Vegas District Court Judge ordered a former assistant of the star's to pay the sum as a sanction for asserting baseless sexual harassment claims against Roy and the company that owned the duo, according to media's wife. The former assistant's wife was also part of the order.

The suit first came into the public eye last year when the assistant reported the sexual harassment accusations. These allegations stated that the male assistant was subjected to sexual overtures by both of the stars. The man also claimed that he was let go from the company after he had rejected sexual advances from Roy. Sexual harassment claims in Newport Beach and elsewhere involve male victims more often than in the past.

Our Newport Beach sexual harassment attorneys understand that the number of male sexual harassment victims climbed significantly since the beginning of the recession. During this time, officials started receiving an increased number of these complaints. It is estimated that more than 16 percent of all of the sexual harassment claims -- or more than 2,000 claim filed in 2009 -- were filed by men, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. We're seeing more and more male sexual harassment cases. These cases oftentimes include behavior involving unwanted sexual advances and groping. This "locker room" type behavior, including vulgarity and horseplay, is completely unacceptable regardless of age, race or sex.

The assistant to the performing duo was described as a heterosexual married man who had been hired to help out Roy with everyday needs like getting dressed and grooming. Reports indicated that Roy still needed assistance because of the injuries that were suffered in 2003 when he was attacked by a tiger at a show at the Mirage.

Roy defended the case by saying that the assistant took advantage of his trust, his medical condition and his age in an attempt to gain monetary rewards from Roy. The assistant reportedly used 'video surveillance' to bribe the star for a monetary payoff. When the video failed to produce the desired results, the assistant reported that improper sexual conduct was displayed at Roy's home. And that a hostile work environment restled when the assistant rejected the sexual offers. These false allegations led to the dismissal of the assistant, reports Roy.

It was also stated, by the defendants, that the accusing party made this case as publicly embarrassing and as costly as possible.

Initially, the assistant requested $500,000 from Roy personally, but when he refused to pay the assistant he was threatened with a criminal investigation.

"Many people mistakenly believe that harassment is limited to females," says Roberta Chinsky Matuson, a human resource expert. "The truth is that this type of experience is just as damaging to men."

Continue reading "Entertainer in Siegfried & Roy and the Falsified Sexual Harassment Claims in Los Vegas" »

The California State Senate recently passed the Equality and Equal Access in Higher Education bill (AB 620), which aims to stop harassment and bullying against LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) students and staff members at all California public and private colleges.

This bill was first introduced by Assembly member Marty Block (D-San Diego) and was sponsored by Equality California, according to San Diego Gay & Lesbian News.

Under this legislation, public universities and colleges are required to create and enforce a policy for all campus members that would regulate intimidation and harassment in California. It would be included in the school's code of conduct. AB 620 is an addition to the current 2009 California Postsecondary Education Commission, which requires that staff members address the needs of LGBT students, faculty and staff members.

Our Los Angeles sexual assault attorneys understand that while this bill doesn't have the ability to protect all LGBT residents in our state, this is a beneficial step towards total acceptance. So many times, residents are singled out and bullied because of their sexual orientation. Residents have a right to freedom and protection and we're here to help obtain these rights for our residents, tourists, workers and students.

"Students attending our public colleges and universities deserve a campus that is serious about providing a safe environment," said Block.

Unfortunately, harassment and bullying continues to be a threat to LGBT students in our state. The result of such oppressive behavior oftentimes forces these individuals to underperform in class and eventually drop out of school. This type of behavior should never be tolerated in any situation.

A number of colleges and universities currently collect information regarding student and staff member's gender identity and sexual orientation just as it would race, ethnicity and gender. Under the bill, all colleges must offer these check-boxes.

According to a University of California Undergraduate Experience Survey (UCUES) that was conducted in 2008, a number of LGBT students in the state constantly face obstacles and challenges that many heterosexual students do not.

These additional obstacles are addressed through additional resources and campus services to help them to fight through the issue and to continue on in a successful path to a higher education. The survey also concluded that LGBT students have a higher rate of substance abuse, sexual health risks, family acceptance issues and mental health challenges, in comparison to heterosexual students, because of bullying, harassment and discrimination.

About a third of all LGBT students confess that they have serious depression concerns. This concern is roughly 50 percent higher in these students than the concerns in heterosexual students. Lastly, more than 90 percent of surveyed heterosexual students reported they felt "respected on campus." Less than 75 percent of LGBT students reported this feeling.

Continue reading "LGBT Students Protected Against Sexual Harassment in California under AB 620" »

High-profile Hollywood producer Jon Peters recently lost a jury trial and was ordered to pay $822,000 in damages to a former personal assistant, the Los Angeles Times reports.

This is yet another case of a person in power -- most typically a man -- who lords over a person at work without power to make his or her work environment uncomfortable. This is, plain and simple, sexual harassment in Los Angeles.

It's not only wrong, but also unlawful. And, unfortunately, it's not uncommon. As the Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer Blog reported recently, a "Price is Right" model recently sued the show, alleging that upper management harassed and bullied her and others at the show.

This type of work environment is unacceptable and only an experienced and aggressive Orange County Sexual Harassment Lawyer can teach these bosses a lesson through litigation aimed at correcting an unlawful situation.

Sexual harassment is typically defined as unwanted sexual advances, touching, conversations and can even include sexually based emails that are offensive or requests for sexual favors in exchange for promotions and benefits at work. This doesn't only apply to male bosses and female worker situations; it has applied to male workers and female bosses in recent years, as well.

In this case, Peters, who produced "Caddyshack," "Rain Man," Bonfire of the Vanities" and "Superman Returns," among other movies, was accused of acting with malice toward his former personal assistant, which will require an additional hearing that could result in more damages awarded to the 44-year-old woman.

According to the news article, Peters inappropriately touched her at his Malibu home, got into bed with her in an Australian hotel, and exposed himself to her and her then-2-year-old daughter in an outdoor restroom at his Santa Barbara ranch. After she quit his firm, the man's influence prevented her from getting another job, she claimed.

Sadly, this is a way of life for some people working in the movie business in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. People in power like to throw around that influence and make sure nothing threatens it, including a person who works for them.

Unfortunately, this often ensnares hard-working people who face difficulties at work simply because of their appearance or because of the poor decisions being made by higher-ups who control the purse strings and hiring and firing duties. And with unemployment -- especially in California and the movie industry -- in bad shape, some people will simply endure a bad situation in order to continue getting a paycheck.

But that doesn't have to be the case. Hiring an experienced sexual harassment lawyer is the first step in fighting back. Don't allow bosses to treat you poorly because of the job market and your insecurity. Turn the tables and make them pay for treating you poorly.

Continue reading "High-Profile Hollywood Producer Ordered to Pay $800k For Sexual Harassment Lawsuit" »