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The Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is passed, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, or national origin. It was meant to protect women in the workforce. -
The Education Amendments
Title IX of the Education Amendments is issued. This does not allow sex discrimination but only in schools that receive federal funding -
Sexual Harassment- the Term
The phrase “sexual harassment” is coined in 1975, by a group of women activists at the Cornell University's Human Affairs Office, called Working Women United.
http://time.com/4286575/sexual-harassment-before-anita-hill/ -
The EEOC Steps In
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) states that sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title VII. -
The Supreme Court rules for the 1st time
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court rules that sexual harassment can be sex discrimination prohibited by Title VII. The case of Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson ruled that speech in itself can create a hostile environment which violates the law. -
The Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1991 is passed again. Congress modifies Title VII in order to add more protection in the workplace. For example, the Act allows harassment and discrimination plaintiffs the right to a jury trial in federal court. It also gives the person who brought the case to court the right to collect compensatory and punitive damages, subject to a cap based on the size of the employer. -
The First Sexual Harassment Case
Anita Hill comes forward and brings the first case of sexual harassment to court and wins. Her attacker was U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas.
http://time.com/4286575/sexual-harassment-before-anita-hill/ -
The Violence Against Women Act
The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 is passed. This limits acceptability of evidence of the past sexual history of the plaintiff in sexual harassment cases. It permits such evidence against sexual harassers accused of assault. -
Congress Takes Lead
Congress passes the Government Accountability Act. This makes Congress’s own members subject to the same employment laws as the rest of the country. https://www.employmentlawfirms.com/resources/employment/workplace-safety-and-health/sexual-harassment-law.htm -
Linda Gilbert vs. Daimler Chrysler
More sexual abuse cases arise. More women stand up for equality in the workplace.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/10/25/sexual-harassment-here-some-biggest-cases/791439001/ -
Why does this occur?
An article by Harvard Business Review is written looking into why men like, Harvey Weinstein, harass other women in the workforce. https://hbr.org/2017/10/sex-power-and-the-systems-that-enable-men-like-harvey-weinstein -
Current Sexual assault cases
https://www.curbed.com/2018/3/5/17080530/berkeley-architecture-school-sexual-harassment-professor
Current sexual assault cases, which the media is covering, includes cases in schools, and colleges in an attempt to save our new generation.