Senator Hassan Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill To Support Survivors of Sexual Assault and Harassment In the Workplace

WASHINGTON -- Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would stop perpetrators from being able to push survivors of sexual harassment and assault into secretive, forced arbitration proceedings.

“When an employee is the subject of sexual assault or harassment, they should be empowered to seek justice and hold the perpetrator accountable,” Senator Hassan said. “It is important that employees feel safe in their workplace, and this bill guarantees that survivors can discuss their experience by voiding forced arbitration agreements. This important issue has strong bipartisan support, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass it to support survivors across the country.”

The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault & Sexual Harassment Act would invalidate forced arbitration clauses that prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment survivors from seeking justice and public accountability under the laws meant to protect them.

Senator Hassan is working to provide support to survivors of sexual harassment and violent crimes. Last year, President Biden signed into law bipartisan legislation supported by Senator Hassan to strengthen support for victims of violent crimes by preventing deep cuts to programs that provide critical support and compensation to survivors of violent crimes, including survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Additionally, the Senator introduced bipartisan legislation to allow individuals to seek compensation and relief in federal court for the non-consensual disclosure and transmission of intimate images of them, often referred to as “revenge porn.”

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