Grassley Lauds Passage Of Bipartisan Bill Guaranteeing Access To Courts For Survivors Of Sexual Assault In The Workplace

Press Release

Legislation expanding access to courts for survivors of sexual assault and harassment in the workplace cleared Congress this week with the support of Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act passed the Senate this morning by voice vote without objection. An earlier version of the bill advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with Grassley's support in November.

"Survivors of sexual assault and harassment deserve to be heard, and they deserve the right to seek justice in the courts. This bipartisan bill prevents employers from sweeping assault or harassment claims under the rug through mandatory arbitration agreements, and prevents unions from negotiating away survivors' access to the courthouse. While arbitration can serve many important purposes, sexual assault and harassment survivors ought to be able to choose whether to use arbitration or the courts to seek justice. This bill ensures they have that option.," Grassley said.

The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act would invalidate existing forced arbitration clauses that prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment survivors from seeking justice and public accountability under the laws meant to protect them. Under the bill, survivors would be able to choose whether to use arbitration or traditional legal process to bring claims of sexual assault and harassment in the workplace. It also ensures that arbitration agreements negotiated by unions are not binding in these cases.

The bill was introduced by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), and is cosponsored by Grassley and 24 other senators. It's endorsed by American Association for Justice (AAJ), Public Citizen, the National Women's Law Center, the National Partnership for Women & Families, Futures Without Violence, Jewish Women International, Lift Our Voices, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Network to End Domestic Violence, RAINN, RALIANCE, and Sexual Violence Prevention Association.

Watch a press conference on the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act HERE. View Grassley's remarks HERE.

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