House Speaker Beth Harwell announced in a letter to committee members that she will be working with an outside agency to improve the state’s sexual harassment policy.
She made the the announcement Thursday, just weeks after allegations surfaced that state Representative Jeremy Durham sent inappropriate texts to women on Capitol Hill.
In the statement addressed to the Sexual Harassment Policy Review Committee, she said she would be working with the Sexual Assault Center.
“I will be sharing with the committee information about the Sexual Assault Center, which has offered to act as a confidential link to those who have an experience, and possibly provide training as well. I have been in touch with Tim Tohill, President of the organization, about potentially providing these services," said Harwell.
Thursday was the first meeting of the Sexual Harrasment Policy Review Committee.
"The current policy is very long, it’s four pages long, it’s very redundant in spaces, there’s not a clear process for how to report incidents and it really focuses just on sexual harassment for members of the general assembly we do need to broaden the language," said Allison Duke, Associate Dean of Graduate Business at Lipscomb who is on the panel.
Last month Speaker Harwell called for the formation of the committee after former Majority Whip Jeremy Durhman resigned following the sexual harassment allegations.
Harwell’s full statement can be read below:
“I appreciate everyone agreeing to serve on this review committee. I take the work they are embarking on very seriously. Sexual harassment, or any kind of workplace harassment, will not be tolerated in the Tennessee General Assembly.
“I am asking the committee to consider three things as they begin their work: first and foremost, that victims feel safe and comfortable coming forward to report harassment. Second, that there is transparency on the backend. Third, that members and staff are properly notified and trained on our policies and procedures.
“I will be sharing with the committee information about the Sexual Assault Center, which has offered to act as a confidential link to those who have an experience, and possibly provide training as well. I have been in touch with Tim Tohill, President of the organization, about potentially providing these services.
“I want to correct what I perceive to be problems with awareness of our policies, and most importantly, confidence in our system. I believe the work of those on this committee will result in recommendations that address that.” –Speaker Beth Harwell
