Democrat introduces bill to curb sexual harassment in science

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson has introduced a bill to increase research into sexual harassment in scientific and technical workplaces, and reduce its prevalence.

Johnson, a ranking Democrat member of the United States House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, introduced bill HR 7031 on 5 October to boost research into the causes and consequences of sexual harassment and to examine policies to reduce its prevalence and impact.

In a statement, Johnson said that 58 per cent of women in academia experience sexual harassment. While sexual harassment across society, and in academia specifically, is “by no means a new phenomenon”, it is finally receiving the attention it deserves, she said.