MD state officials begin survey to address sexual harassment in general assembly

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – “I froze and he put his hands all the way up my skirt.” “It feels like a fraternity house.” “I feel sick to my stomach every time I think about that incident.” These experiences, all detailed in a sexual harassment policy report made by the women’s caucus, just last year.

“you think people would come here and still be the adults that they should be but I guess some folks just can’t control themselves,” said Delegate Carl Anderton (R-District 38B)

Local legislator Senator Addie Eckardt (R-District 37) says sexual harassment within the general assembly has been an ongoing issue for as long as they can remember.

“There have been a lot of events that have happened through a lot of years.”

To address this issue, state officials have since taken it upon themselves to hire an out of state company to conduct an independent review of the workplace climate and culture in the assembly.

“We have very long days, and you work very closely with people so I think that’s something that we all have to again keep in check,” Eckardt said.

For the rest of the month, nearly 1,600 people including employees, lobbyists, and elected officials like Eckardt, will be surveyed.

“It gave opportunities to make recommendations for change or what else you think is needed.”

And although this issue won’t be solved overnight, legislators say this survey is a step in the right direction. To make sure each and every person gets the respect– they deserve.

“When I came up here, I just figured I would treat everybody with the same respect that I expect to be treated. Or treat everybody with the same respect that I would want my wife to receive,” Anderton said.

House Speaker Michael Busch who announced the survey earlier this month says all the feedback will be anonymous. He adds that these survey findings will be presented to the Legislative Policy Committee later this year.