Illinois Congresswoman Bustos Holds ‘Silenced No More’ Panels at Women Employed
Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) spoke to leaders at Women Employed, the Chicago Executives’ Club and the Chicago Bar Association to highlight how her Ending Forced Arbitration for Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act has restored rights for survivors nationwide.
Since the signing of Bustos’ law, she has joined Gretchen Carlson, journalist and founder of Lift Our Voices, and activist Tanuja Gupta, a leading organizer of the Google Walkouts to ensure that business leaders, advocacy groups and employees are aware of survivors’ rights following instances of sexual assault and harassment. In Chicago, Bustos was joined by Cherita Ellens, CEO and President of Women Employed, Carrie Ward, Executive Director of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Laurel Bellows, Founder and Managing Principal of the Bellows Law Group, Kristen Prinz, Founder of the Prinz Law Firm and businesswoman Christie Hefner.
Cheri Bustos
“This year, millions of Americans under forced arbitration agreements regained their constitutional right to pursue justice after experiencing sexual assault or sexual harassment,” said Congresswoman Bustos. “It was an honor to speak to folks at Women Employed, the Chicago Executives’ Club and the Chicago Bar Association to help spread the word that forced arbitration agreements are now null and void for survivors, and that they’ve regained the ability to seek justice if they choose to do so. I’m grateful to each of these organizations for helping to ensure that every survivor has the support and resources they need.”
Signed into law in March, the Ending Forced Arbitration for Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act voids forced arbitration agreements in any contract if a sexual assault or harassment claim is brought. For employment contracts, more than 60 million Americans would be impacted. That estimate grows exponentially when considering other contracts and terms and conditions where forced arbitration clauses are typically found, such as in nursing homes, property leases, ride-share apps, movers, handyman services and more.
By voiding forced arbitration clauses in the case of sexual assault and harassment, survivors are provided the freedom to decide what legal path works best for them – that can include bringing a claim in court, discussing their case publicly or seeking another kind of legal remedy. It will eliminate institutional protection for harassers and abusers and give survivors the chance to pursue justice.
The events were part of Congresswoman Bustos’ and Tanuja Gupta’s Silenced No More initiative, an effort focused on educating survivors, advocates and the American public about the impact of the new law. Bustos and Gupta spoke to leaders at the DC Women’s Bar Association late last month.
