Stop Sexual Harrasment

 I have worked for 12 years at largest hospital in state. I was the only female technician in department. I was promised training and rotation through different departments to increase my knowledge on a variety of equipment. This was required because I was in Army Reserves and dealing with potential deployment. My male coworkers were all rotated through- I went on my first three month rotation 12 years later and even then I had half of my 'old' rotation responsibilities with me as well.

I encountered five instances of sexual harassment. When I reported the incidences I was blown off. The director told me in two instances, that the co-workers were too valuable; that if I took this outside of department, I would be one to lose my job. When two guys from another department witnessed one instance, I told HR that there were even witnesses who had commented on it. The HR rep told me that those two guys need to mind their own business!

In the midst of all this, I was dealing with workplace issues and anticipating deployment to Iraq. I wanted to go to Iraq just to get away from this mess!

I went to the Labor Board, the Maine Human Rights Commission; I even tried to find a lawyer willing to take on my case but the legal battle is against one of largest employers in the state, with a large group of the leading legal firms representing them. I was met with delays, backlogs of cases. Why bother having laws or commissions that don't succeed in serving their purpose?

In this day and age, I cannot believe the inhumanity of our workplaces. I don't want to give up this fight - on principle alone. Not many women can survive in male-dominated fields because of the bullying and harassment I have faced. We need change!

To all the women who have gone through something similar, who have dealt with verbal and physical threats, discrimination, unwanted sexual advances, or even assaults, please keep trying to fight for your rights to safe work environments. Speak up!

-Deborah Marble is an Activist Network Member in Lewiston, Maine.