https://www.politico.eu/article/sexu...ts-own-demons/
As MEPs prepare to debate sexual violence and harassment, the European Parliament’s own policies and procedures for dealing with serious allegations are coming under scrutiny.
Victims of alleged sexual violence, including rape, by Parliament staff and legislators say they face challenges to have their complaints heard and don’t trust the system that’s supposed to protect them.
Wednesday’s debate in Strasbourg comes amid widespread discussion of sexual harassment in the wake of allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, U.S. TV pundit Bill O’Reilly and others. It also shines a light on the EU institutions’ own record of dealing with harassment.
In a press statement Monday, Parliament President Antonio Tajani said the assembly has well-established procedures for tackling harassment, including an advisory committee that “has not received any formal complaints about sexual harassment.”
Yet four women who identified themselves as parliamentary staffers told POLITICO they had lodged complaints with the Parliament, including two alleged cases of rape by colleagues.
More than 30 allegations of rape, assault and harassment connected to the European Parliament have been made in the past week, from both women and men, via this confidential form posted on POLITICO’s Brussels Playbook newsletter.
Victims of alleged sexual violence, including rape, by Parliament staff and legislators say they face challenges to have their complaints heard and don’t trust the system that’s supposed to protect them.
Wednesday’s debate in Strasbourg comes amid widespread discussion of sexual harassment in the wake of allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, U.S. TV pundit Bill O’Reilly and others. It also shines a light on the EU institutions’ own record of dealing with harassment.
In a press statement Monday, Parliament President Antonio Tajani said the assembly has well-established procedures for tackling harassment, including an advisory committee that “has not received any formal complaints about sexual harassment.”
Yet four women who identified themselves as parliamentary staffers told POLITICO they had lodged complaints with the Parliament, including two alleged cases of rape by colleagues.
More than 30 allegations of rape, assault and harassment connected to the European Parliament have been made in the past week, from both women and men, via this confidential form posted on POLITICO’s Brussels Playbook newsletter.
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