Press releases

NWDL’s New Reports Show Sexual Harassment Rampant in Congress & Statehouses

Lawmakers and advocates across the country call for action to keep #MeToo momentum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–The National Women’s Defense League (NWDL) today released two reports documenting sexual harassment and misconduct by elected officials—naming 162 state lawmakers with 424 accusations since 2013, and 30 members of Congress over the last twenty years, warning that actual incidents are likely at least three times higher.

Together, the reports show that public accusations in state government have returned to pre‑#MeToo reporting levels, even as harassment remains widespread and dramatically underreported—and that similar systemic failures persist at the federal level.

Exemplifying just that, and mere days before the release of the reports, now-former Reps. Eric Swalwell (D) and Tony Gonzales (R) resigned from Congress following accusations of sexual harassment, Rep. Cory Mills (R) started facing calls for expulsion for sexual misconduct allegations, the House of Representatives released a rare statement calling on survivors to come forward, and Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer stepped down as she’s investigated for misconduct.

“It’s hard to overstate how much sexual misconduct by elected officials is shaping our country right now,” said Emma Davidson Tribbs, Founding Director of the National Women’s Defense League. “Sexual harassment and abuse by men in positions of elected power is a problem for both parties, and it’s overwhelmingly targeted at women: women staffers, women in office and women working in statehouses and Congress. And there is little to no accountability–only 40% of those accused resign and many remain in office.”

NWDL released the reports alongside lawmakers and advocates from across the country who have been working to advance reforms to prevent sexual harassment and protect survivors including Tennessee State Rep. Afton Behn (D), Pennsylvania State Rep. Abby Major (R) and advocates who have taken on sexual harassers in office in New York, Nebraska and Indiana.

Together, they called not just for policy change, but sustained momentum for the #MeToo movement, making it clear that resignations are not the end.

“Let’s be clear: The #MeToo movement didn’t go away,” said Sarah Higginbotham, Co-Founder and Co-Director of the National Women’s Defense League. “But every accusation in these reports shows that the burden of coming forward, holding the powerful accountable, and demanding policies that will prevent sexual harassment and abuse still falls on survivors. It’s high time elected leaders of both parties come out of the whisper networks to show actual leadership and do their part.”

LAWMAKERS AND ADVOCATES WEIGH IN

• Julie McCluskie, Colorado Speaker of the House (D): “Colorado has worked deliberately to strengthen protections within the legislature and ensure that misconduct is addressed transparently and responsibly. Building a workplace rooted in respect and accountability is essential for both legislators and staff — and for maintaining public trust in democratic institutions.”

• Aftyn Behn, Tennessee State Representative (D): Old school sexism is absolutely back, and it's lost a lot of political cover. If we continue down this road without consequences, we are telling victims that the halls of power that were intended to protect them and others are compromised. The reporting process is incestuous. It is enmeshed, and it is unsafe for victims, and that is why staff often come to my office, not because I’m special, but because my office feels like the only room where someone might actually believe them.

• Abby Major, Pennsylvania Representative (R), Survivor, NWDL Advisory Council Member: “Sexual harassment in state government is not a partisan issue — it’s a human one. Our responsibility is to ensure safety, fairness, and accountability, regardless of party or position.”

• Megan Hunt, Nebraska State Senator (D): “Sexual harassment in state government isn’t hypothetical — it affects real people, careers, and families. Policies are only meaningful if people trust the system to use them and leaders respond with seriousness and fairness.”

• Jen Day, Former Nebraska State Senator; Political Director at Women’s Fund of Omaha: “Sexual harassment within legislative bodies not only fosters unsafe work environments but also limits women’s advancement in government and discourages broader public participation in policymaking. When women and other underrepresented people face harassment, they’re pushed out of leadership pipelines — that loss is not just personal, it’s civic and generational.”

• Erica Vladimer, Survivor, Founding Director of Harassment Free New York: “The progress Harassment-Free NY made didn’t come from headlines alone, though sharing our stories publicly was integral to our work. More importantly, our success comes from knowing that this work is a movement, not a moment. It comes from persistent organizing, survivor leadership, and constantly working alongside supportive lawmakers, advocates, and experts to pass meaningful reforms.”

• Elise Shrock, Principal at Shrock & Associates, Indiana: “When misconduct happens, there is rarely a truly safe place to go. The vast majority of survivors I work with choose to leave. These are incredibly talented people we’ve lost because our leaders and systems lacked courage.”

TOP FINDINGS:

State Legislative Data: Abuse of Power: Uncovering Sexual Harassment in State Government (2013-2025)

• 162 state officials publicly accused and at least 424 distinct incidents since 2013

• Political split is roughly even (52% Republican / 48% Democratic); ~93% of accused officials are men.

• In 2025 states enacted five new laws addressing harassment in political workplaces (Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Ohio, Washington), but gaps remain in independent, survivor‑centered systems.

Congressional Data:Abuse of Power: Sexual Harassment in Congress (2006–present)

• At least 30 members from 13 states and Guam have faced public workplace sexual harassment allegations, totaling at least 53 workplace accusations.

• Including misconduct outside the workplace and pre‑service incidents, 49 members have been publicly accused, comprising 137 accusations overall.

• The majority of workplace allegations involve legislative staffers (77%), reflecting acute power imbalances and vulnerability.

• Party breakdown among accused members: ~60% Republican / 40% Democratic.

Policy change in 2025: The report details that just five bills crossed the finish line in 2025 that would address sexual harassment for serving state lawmakers. Those bills passed in Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Ohio, and Washington.

Accused lawmakers running in 2026: Due to limited transparency there’s not often accountability at the ballot box: 23 lawmakers with public accusations are running for reelection in 2026 in 16 states including 9 people running for Congress. NWDL’s research shows that 80% get reelected. NWDL wants to change that.

Policy recommendations: NWDL calls on state legislatures and Congress to adopt statutory, survivor‑centered reforms that include:

• Independent, third‑party investigations and evaluation;

• Trauma‑informed reporting processes and anti‑retaliation protections;

• Transparency that protects survivor anonymity while ensuring public accountability;

• Codification of standards into law to reduce conflicts of interest.

Underreporting: NWDL’s analysis shows that underreporting is a major driver of the apparent decline in public accusations

• Only one in five legislators who experience harassment report it formally

• Survivors cite lack of trust in systems, fear of retaliation, and insufficient protections

• Most state legislatures still do not systematically track harassment prevalence or assess reporting and investigation processes

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ABOUT NATIONAL WOMEN’S DEFENSE LEAGUE

National Women’s Defense League (NWDL) is a national nonpartisan organization dedicated to preventing sexual harassment and protecting survivors through research, advocacy, and survivor support. We are a coalition of advocates, political and legislative staff, lobbyists, policymakers, and survivors from across the country working toward a future where everyone is respected in the workplace and where sexual harassment is not tolerated

Sexual abuse and misconduct by Swalwell and Gonzales are just the tip of the iceberg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–In recent days, thanks to the bravery of survivors and their allies, multiple allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct involving members of Congress have resulted in the resignations of two sitting Congressmen, Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-15) and Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX-23), along with the end of their 2026 campaigns. 

The National Women’s Defense League stands with the survivors of abuse by Swalwell and Gonzales–those that have come forward to share their stories and those that have not.Survivors face great risk in coming forward and our research documents the intense threats and intimidation that exacerbate those risks. We recognize the courage it takes to come forward and we are grateful to the survivors who have shared their stories, including Ally Sammarco, Annika Albrecht and Lonna Drewes, as well as others who have not been named publicly. 

At least seven survivors have now come forward publicly against both Swalwell and Gonzales, with others remaining unnamed. Research indicates actual incidents to be likely three times as much due to underreporting. 

We stand with the leadership and voices of allies and advocates who have supported these survivors, also at great risk, including Arielle Fodor and Cheyenne Hunt, and the persistence of journalists and newsrooms who worked to get their stories out. 

We commend the members of Congress who have publicly condemned the abuse and stood in solidarity with survivors by calling on Congress to expel Swalwell and Gonzales, and we acknowledge the members of Congress who have already taken meaningful action in Congress to prevent sexual abuse and harassment and to protect survivors.

Let’s be clear: resignation is not the end. While criminal investigations and potential civil actions are ahead, without the passage of policy reforms, the problems will persist. These resignations are significant developments, and those in Congress that helped catalyze this accountability deserve much praise, but these actions do not, on their own, address the systemic failures that allowed this misconduct to persist. Survivors have risked everything to come forward; our response must match that courage with sustained advocacy for structural reforms. 

Congress needs stronger policies codified in law and informed by survivor experiences including policies that: help eradicate conflicts of interest and politics from investigations and accountability; increase public transparency while respecting survivor anonymity; include trauma-informed processes that empower survivors and others to come forward while protecting them from retaliation. NWDL has worked across the country with state lawmakers on reforms for their statehouses, and we look forward to expanding our efforts to Congress in 2026. 

In one week, we’ll be releasing our updated Abuse of Power report that names the sitting state lawmakers accused of sexual harassment since 2013.  For the first time ever, we will also be releasing the same for Congress. Our research to date confirms what so many working in government and politics already know: sexual harassment in statehouses and Congress is widespread and underreported.  In our 2024 national survey of state lawmakers, 1 in 3 legislators had witnessed or experienced sexual harassment.

This is why we started National Women’s Defense League. We are advocating for meaningful policy reform across the country and in Congress that will create real protection from workplace sexual harassment and abuse in our places of government and create real accountability for elected officials that abuse their power.

ABOUT NATIONAL WOMEN’S DEFENSE LEAGUE ACTION

The National Women’s Defense League (NWDL) is a national nonpartisan organization dedicated to preventing workplace sexual harassment and protecting survivors through research, advocacy, and survivor support. We are a coalition of advocates, political and legislative staff, lobbyists, policymakers, and survivors from across the country working toward a future where everyone is respected in the workplace and where sexual harassment is not tolerated.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 21, 2026

NWDL CONDEMNS EEOC DECISION TODAY ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT

The EEOC’s rollback of landmark guidance will weaken sexual harassment prevention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–Today the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) voted to rescind its Enforcement Guidance on Workplace Harassment. This move will weaken efforts to prevent and address workplace sexual harassment at a time when it remains widespread and underreported.

National Women’s Defense League Action Fund (NWDLAF), a national nonpartisan organization focused on the prevention of workplace sexual harassment, released the following statements from their Co-Founders: 

Sarah Jane Higginbotham, NWDL Co-Director & Co-Founder:

“For millions of workers who are survivors of sexual harassment, the EEOC is often the last line of defense. While the EEOC’s decision today to rescind this guidance doesn’t change the laws on the books, it adds confusion to an already convoluted, intimidating and inadequate process that survivors rely on for safety and justice. In short, it is cruel.

“This unfounded decision undermines ten years’ worth of dedicated time and effort by the EEOC to create the guidance that was funded by taxpayers–American workers, 47% of whom are women and many more times likely to experience sexual harassment. This is yet another deeply disturbing and dangerous outcome from an administration that has proven time and again to disregard the rights and safety of women in the workplace.”

Emma Davidson Tribbs, NWDL Founding Director:

“Ambiguity has never protected survivors of sexual harassment; it protects sexual harassers that benefit from silence and confusion. Survivors deserve a federal government that strengthens their rights, not one that makes them harder to understand or enforce.

“Clear, enforceable standards are essential to safe and equitable workplaces. NWDL will continue to hold institutions accountable, track federal actions that affect worker protections, and advocate for policies that center survivors, strengthen prevention, and ensure that no one is left without recourse when workplace systems fail.”

ABOUT NATIONAL WOMEN’S DEFENSE LEAGUE ACTION

The National Women’s Defense League (NWDL) is a national nonpartisan organization dedicated to preventing workplace sexual harassment and protecting survivors through research, advocacy, and survivor support. We are a coalition of advocates, political and legislative staff, lobbyists, policymakers, and survivors from across the country working toward a future where everyone is respected in the workplace and where sexual harassment is not tolerated.

The National Women’s Defense League (NWDL) released new numbers tracking the incidents of sexual harassment in state government across the country, with eleven newly accused legislators in nine states in 2024. The report findings were featured in “State politics has a sexual misconduct problem” in The 19th. The new report, Abuse of Power: Uncovering Sexual Harassment in State Government, builds on previous tracking and includes new national survey data revealing 1 in 3 legislators has experienced or witnessed sexual harassment in their statehouse. 

“Our latest research reinforces what we already knew: the problem of sexual harassment in statehouses is pervasive, damaging and covered up,” said Emma Davidson Tribbs, Director of the National Women’s Defense League. “These abuses of power that not only inflict trauma, but impede policy making, waste taxpayer resources, and disproportionately impact the leadership of women and minorities in government. We surveyed state legislators across the country and their input was clear: The ‘fox is guarding the henhouse’ when it comes to investigations and oversight. The time is long overdue for our elected officials to be transparent with the public, create real accountability and remove political bias from the equation. NWDL is not backing down. Now, more than ever, we need to stand together to make sure no survivor feels alone. We do that with the truth and with action.”

The new report updates NWDL’s ongoing tracking: Since 2013 there have been at least 400 incidents of sexual harassment committed by 145 sitting state lawmakers, with actual incidents likely three times as much due to underreporting by survivors and legislatures. NWDL’s Abuse of Power reporting continues to expose the widespread and persistent issue of sexual harassment among elected officials in red and blue statehouses alike across the nation and the continuing failure of state governments to adequately take action to address it. 

The new Abuse of Power report can be downloaded here. Key findings from the report and statements from lawmakers and stakeholders below. 

LAWMAKERS AND ADVOCATES WEIGH IN

Julie McCluskie, Colorado Speaker of the House (D)

"Last year, we passed bipartisan legislation to foster a stronger work environment at the state legislature where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. SB24-160 improves transparency and accessibility of public records related to discriminatory workplace practices, including sexual harassment complaints, at the Colorado legislature."

Colorado was noted in the report as a state where a bill passed that addressed sexual harassment in the legislature or other poltical workspace. 

Machaela Cavanaugh, Nebraska State Senator (D) 

"Like many other women working in the Nebraska Capitol, I experienced various forms of harassment almost from my first day in office. One particularly notable incident occurred during a live stream of a floor debate when a colleague mentioned my name while reading a scene that described a rape, demanding a sex act. The response from leadership in the Legislature highlighted how inadequately we have addressed the issue of harassment, failing to protect staff, lobbyists, citizens, and elected officials within our government."

Nebraska was noted in the report with one of its sitting state legislators among the eleven accused of sexual harassment in 2024.

Abby Major, Pennsylvania State Representative (R)

"As a Pennsylvania State Representative who has experienced harassment in the very halls where our laws are made, I understand the type of harassment that happens here and the risks survivors face in reporting it. In Harrisburg, it’s all too common–the governor’s top advisor, sitting lawmakers, lobbyists–and it’s all unacceptable. That’s why I’ve continued to sponsor legislation that would help prevent harassment, support survivors, and ensure that we hold everyone in the Commonwealth’s statehouse accountable.”

Pennsylvania was noted in the report as a state where a high-ranking staff member in the governor’s office sexually harassed staff.

Erica Vladimer, Sexual Harassment Survivor &  Co-Founder of New York’s Sexual Harassment Working Group

"As a survivor of sexual harassment, I understand the significant challenges workers encounter when they experience abuse. The Sexual Harassment Working Group’s efforts in New York have demonstrated that reform is achievable, but there is still so much work to be done. We must keep pushing forward—our mission isn't complete until every survivor feels safe, supported, and heard in their workplace.

New York was noted in the report with one of its sitting state legislators among the eleven accused of sexual harassment in 2024.

Elise Shrock, Indiana Political Strategist and Former Indiana Statehouse Staffer

"As an advocate for women in Indiana and an active participant in Hoosier political workspaces, I’m appalled by the ongoing pattern of sexual harassment and the lack of appetite to make the substantive, common sense changes necessary to fix it. In 2024, forty women in democratic politics publicly told party leadership to stop turning a blind eye and start taking concrete actions to create a safe and respectful workplace for all. A lack of basic professionalism and respect will continue to drain our political bench. We must fix this now."

Indiana was highlighted in the report with two of its sitting state legislators among the eleven accused of sexual harassment in 2024. Though not tracked by our reporting comprehensively, sexual harassment accusations in the Indianapolis mayor’s office were also noted. 

Lauren Roberts, Sexual Harassment Survivor, Indiana

"I’ve spent more than a decade grappling with the sexual harassment and abuse that I endured from my supervisor during Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s 2015 campaign. Today, nearly eight years since I first attempted to report what happened, and more than seven months after fellow survivors and I went on the record in the press, the experience continues to acutely affect my quality of life. I’m still impacted every day not only by the abuse itself, but also by the subsequent, negligent choices made by Mayor Hogsett, the Indiana Democratic Party, and others at the highest levels of power. They dismissed my attempts to report, assassinated my character, and protected my abuser, making it possible for him to prey on other women at work for years. We need a radical shift away from the culture of abuse that exists at all levels of government and politics, and we need systems that protect survivors and hold abusers fully accountable.”

Indiana was highlighted in the report with two of its sitting state legislators among the eleven accused of sexual harassment in 2024. Though not tracked by our reporting comprehensively, sexual harassment accusations in the Indianapolis mayor’s office were also noted. 

KEY FINDINGS FROM THE REPORT

• New Allegations: The report identifies 11 new allegations from 2024 in 9 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, New York, Tennessee, and Virginia. These cases highlight the ongoing pervasiveness of sexual harassment, irrespective of party affiliation.

• Release of New National Survey: An excerpt from NWDL’s new National Survey of State Legislators on Legislative Workplacesunderscores the problem of sexual harassment in state legislatures and the failure of protocols and policies to adequately address it. Survey results include that one in three respondents have witnessed or experienced harassment; less than half of all responding lawmakers believe that policies to prevent and address sexual harassment are doing a good job–only 43%; and first-hand accounts of harassment in statehouses.

• Notable Trends:

  • Sexual harassment continues to be a problem for both political parties.

  • High-ranking staff in lawmakers’ offices are repeatedly accused of harassment. 

  • While some political parties held their members accountable, these cases remain the exception rather than the rule. 

  • When accused politicians transition to higher office, warnings from survivors often go unheeded and unaddressed.  

• Policy Changes: New policies that were enacted in 2024 to address sexual harassment in state legislatures or other political workplaces in six states (California, Colorado, Louisiana, Maine and Utah) while positive, indicate a gap between current progress and what is needed to address the true scope of this systemic and pervasive issue.

THE PATH FORWARD

This report update echoes the conclusions of the original 2023 report: much more needs to be done. To effectively tackle sexual harassment in political spaces, more comprehensive research is essential to understand the full scope of the problem. Transparency is crucial, with state governments needing to fully disclose incidents of harassment. Finally, lawmakers at every level must act urgently to build and enforce policies that better protect survivors and foster safer work environments for all.

NWDL remains committed to holding state governments accountable and fighting for meaningful changes that prioritize the safety and dignity of those who work in statehouses across the country. 

The full report, Abuse of Power: Uncovering Sexual Harassment in State Government - 2024 Report Update, is available here. 

Excerpts from NWDL’s new National Survey of State Legislators on Legislative Workplaces were included in this report. The full survey, also released today, is available here.  

ABOUT NATIONAL WOMEN’S DEFENSE LEAGUE

National Women’s Defense League (NWDL) is a national nonpartisan organization dedicated to preventing sexual harassment and protecting survivors through research, advocacy, and survivor support. We are a coalition of advocates, political and legislative staff, lobbyists, policymakers, and survivors from across the country working toward a future where everyone is respected in the workplace and where sexual harassment is not tolerated. 

What to know after a week of new information has been made public

The more that’s reported for the public about Gov. Shaprio’s handling of sexual harassment in his office, the worse it gets. Pennsylvanians have a right to know how sexual harassment was addressed and how prevalent it was–and given that he’s a frontrunner for vice president, so do the American people. 

Today the National Women’s Defense League provided a summary of what to know in the wake of the newly public information: 

Gov. Shapiro has failed to be transparent and forthcoming; he was negligent in his responsibility to run a safe and effective office; and there were major failings in his investigation of sexual harassment. 

• From the outset, Gov. Shapiro should have been far more transparent and honest with Pennsylvanians about the problem and the process, something he could have done while still respecting the privacy of any survivors. 

• In the last week, despite growing concerns and a vice presidential vet, he has not been any more forthcoming, other than offering a staggering and seemingly implausible assertion that he didn’t know about the sexual harassment complaint against his top aide and direct report for months after, which if the case, would indicate a disturbing level of negligence as the chief executive officer of the state. 

• Upon sharing this revelation last week, Gov. Shapiro has now ordered that he be immediately informed of any such complaint against a senior staff or cabinet member. While we support the policy change, we believe such an action should have been taken as soon as he found out last year and should not have required the pressure of public scrutiny. 

• No adequate detailing of the process for the investigation of the complaint resulting in a nearly $300,000 settlement has been shared by Gov. Shapiro, but what has been reported recently via a Right to Know request indicates serious conflict of interest and bias. The indication that Gov. Shaprio’s office provided legal counsel to the harasser deeply undercuts his assurances that the process was robust and thorough. On Wednesday, Broad & Liberty filed a motion to force the Governor’s Office to produce records. 

Gov. Shapiro has hired people despite their problematic records on sexual harassment; he has kept multiple people on staff despite complaints of sexual harassment. 

• Lastly, a disturbing pattern is taking shape: Gov. Shapiro hired and appointed multiple people with a known history of problematic behavior, including Mike Vereb and Marcel Groen. 

• It’s also been publicly reported that Akbar Hossain, another top advisor/cabinet member was accused of sexually harassing the complainant. As of today, he is still serving as Gov. Shapiro’s Secretary of Policy and Planning. 

What we know of Gov. Shapiro’s actions indicate an alarming negligence and a pattern of endangering women that work for and with his office. His failure to be forthcoming and take greater accountability–even as more concerning information comes to light–should be of serious concern to Pennsylvanians, and as a Vice President frontrunner, to the Harris Campaign and the American people. 

Sexual harassment in any workplace is abhorrent; enabled or perpetrated by elected officials, it is strikingly egregious: a betrayal of public trust and gross abuse of power. The truth is it is all too common in statehouses across the country, creating a culture of fear and intimidation while undercutting the trajectory of women’s leadership in public service. We must do better. 

RELEVANT COVERAGE: 

• “Shapiro claims he didn’t know of sexual misconduct allegations against his staffer until months later” - Broad & Liberty - August 4, 2024

• “Shapiro Faces Scrutiny Over Sexual Harassment Complaint Against Aide” - New York Times - August 3, 2024

• “Documents undermine Shapiro’s claims of thorough investigation into top advisor’s misconduct allegations” - Broad & Liberty - August 2, 2024 

• “Ex-aide to Josh Shapiro allegedly invoked Pennsylvania governor's name in threat that left woman 'weeping'” - ABC News - August 2, 2024 

• “'Should have done a better job': Concerns raised over Josh Shapiro's handling of harassment claims” - Salon - August 2, 2024 

• “Women’s group urges Harris to consider Shapiro handling of sexual harassment complaint against aide” - Pennsylvania Capitol Star - July 31, 2024 

• “How a sexual harassment scandal involving a Josh Shapiro aide could affect the Pa. governor’s VP chances” - Philadelphia Inquirer - July 29, 2024

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ABOUT NATIONAL WOMEN’S DEFENSE LEAGUE

The National Women’s Defense League Action Fund (NWDLAF) is a nonpartisan 501(C)(4) organization dedicated to preventing sexual harassment and protecting survivors. Our aim is to shine a light on the problem of sexual harassment and its impacts, and to promote solutions. We do research to help understand the breadth of the problem, we provide education for the public and decision makers, and we develop policies and best practices that prevent sexual harassment and protect survivors. www.nationalwomensdefenseleague.org

New York –As potential vice presidential candidates are being considered, National Women’s Defense League (NWDL), a national nonpartisan organization focused on the prevention of sexual harassment, released the following statement from their Director, Emma Davidson Tribbs, in response to the sexual harassment that took place in his office by top advisor Mike Vereb.

“Governor Shapiro’s office should have done a better job preventing  sexual harassment happening in his own office by former cabinet secretary Mike Vereb, including protecting the survivor who bravely came forward, ensuring that any other potential survivors felt safe in speaking up, and ensuring the harasser didn’t have the opportunity to do further harm after the complaint. 

“As the Harris Campaign and the Democratic Party consider their options for Vice Presidential candidates, we urge them to consider the handling of past complaints of sexual harassment inside the Pennsylvania Governor’s office. The American people deserve to know that, if called to a higher office, Governor Shapiro will do more to ensure the safety and dignity of employees, volunteers and constituents in his office. 

“As our recent report Abuse of Power shows, sexual harassment is especially rampant in our government and political workspaces in both political parties, and we need leaders who do better and will buck the pernicious status quo. We deserve leaders who will champion reforms that do not silence survivors, but empower and support them. We deserve leaders who will not brush sexual harassment under the rug, but will put accountability above politics. We need leaders who prioritize effective policies, protocols and a culture that prevents sexual harassment and protects survivors.

“Our research indicates that there is rarely only one survivor in cases like this. When it comes to sexual harassment, silence is not golden–it’s a red flag. Often, it indicates that others may not feel safe or supported in coming forward with their truth. NWDL acknowledges potential silent survivors and we stand with those who choose not to share their experiences publicly.”

About

The National Women’s Defense League Action Fund (NWDLAF) is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to preventing sexual harassment and protecting survivors. Our aim is to shine a light on the problem of sexual harassment and its impacts, and to promote solutions. We do research to help understand the breadth of the problem, we provide education for the public and decision makers, and we develop policies and best practices that prevent sexual harassment and protect survivors.

NWDL Research

The new report, Abuse of Power: Uncovering a Decade of Sexual Harassment in State Government, was released last year and found at least 130 statehouse lawmakers across the country have been publicly  accused of sexual harassment in the last decade by at least 359 individuals. 

New York - Today, the National Women’s Defense League published a new report, Abuse of Power: Uncovering a Decade of Sexual Harassment in State Government, that finds at least 130 statehouse lawmakers across the country have been publicly  accused of sexual harassment in the last decade. 

The report reveals that sexual harassment by sitting state lawmakers is pervasive and ongoing, with accusations coming from at least 359 individuals, and actual incidents likely three times as much due to underreporting by survivors and legislatures. 

“This report makes clear: Sexual harassment by state lawmakers isn’t a single party issue or an anomaly—it’s a systemic abuse of power in every statehouse across the country,” said Emma Davidson Tribbs, the Director and CoFounder of the National Women’s Defense League, the new organization that released the report. “What’s more, this corruption undermines the very policy making that lawmakers should be pursuing to prevent harassment in all workspaces.” 

Additional Report Findings Include 

• Both parties to blame: Analysis reveals that both Republicans and Democrats are to blame, with 54% and 46% respectfully. Sexual harassment is not exclusive to one party, though both parties attempt to leverage it as a partisan issue. Members of both political parties commit sexual harassment at a nearly equal level. The report also found that 96% of accused lawmakers were male.

• Little accountability: There remains little accountability or reliable recourse for harassers: Nearly 60% of lawmakers attempt to remain in office immediately after an accusation of sexual harassment, and in 55% of the incidents identified, no official action was taken against the accused elected official.

• Lack of transparency: Data is incomplete and potentially misleading due to negligence by legislatures: Current state reporting systems range from ineffective to nonexistent, further inhibiting survivors from coming forward with accusations, while at the same time, reinforcing systemic problems. By keeping these incidents internal, the legislatures are essentially wiping clean their accountability. 

STATE LAWMAKERS WEIGH IN 

Jo Ella Hoye, Kansas State Representative (D): “State legislators need to do more to protect staff and hold sexual harassers accountable. We need proper training and reporting structures to create a comfortable and safe environment for all who participate in state governance, and we need more transparency so the public has a fair shot at holding harassers to account. Predators are unfit to serve.”

Abby Major, Pennsylvania State Representative (R): “It is irresponsible and negligent for state lawmakers to continue to ignore the systemic sexual harassment in our own workplace.  This isn’t partisan—it’s time for both parties to come together and do more to protect victims.”

SELECT STATE EXAMPLES 

Sexual harassment continues to be an issue in all 50 of American’s statehouses. Examples included in the report follow:  

• PENNSYLVANIA: 5 state lawmakers in Pennsylvania are cited in the report including, former Pennsylvania State Representative Mike Zabel (D) resigned on March 16, 2023 after being accused of sexual harassment by four women, including two staffers, a lobbyist and a fellow Representative. 

• NEW MEXICO: 4 state lawmakers in New Mexico are cited in the report, including former New Mexico State Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto (D) who resigned from his position as the chair of the Senate Rules Committee after an ethics committee had found probable cause that Ivey-Soto had violated the Senate’s anti-harassment policy.

• TEXAS: 4 state lawmakers in Texas are cited in the report including, former Texas State Representative Bryan Slaton (R) was expelled by a unanimous vote of the Texas House on May 9, 2023, days after the Texas House Committee on General Investigating released a report showing that Slaton had violated several rules when having an inappropriate relationship with a legislative staffer.

• KANSAS: While no lawmakers have been publicly named in Kansas according to our research, in 2017 a former Kansas House Minority Leader’s Chief of Staff alerted her boss to several incidents of harassment but declined to name legislators. “My intention is to call awareness to the fact that this problem exists and that the majority of women working in the Statehouse have had similar, if not worse experiences than I have.”

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

The National Women’s Defense League’s inaugural report sets the foundation for a new conversation about sexual harassment—one they believe should start by holding lawmakers to account. 

”As state legislatures begin their 2024 sessions, lawmakers have the opportunity to take on the issue of sexual harassment in their own workplace,” said Davidson Tribbs. The report recommends: 

• States should create clear public reporting standards and tracking measures that respect survivors’ privacy and provide accurate information about our elected officials, so we can better work to address the problem. 

• States should double down on evaluating the policies and procedures they have in place to prevent harassment and address it. We need to thoughtfully continue to develop survivor-centric approaches to policy and we need to ensure lawmakers are equipped with clear and effective protocols for addressing and preventing harassment. 

• While embarking on all of this work, states need to consider trauma-informed approaches and ensure that survivors and their allies are integrated into the effort. 

The new organization aims to be a new resource on research, policy, and survivor support for policy makers and workers, and has created a space for stakeholders to engage with them on the issue, which can be done on their website at www.nationalwomensdefenseleague.org