Biden Signs Law Giving Sexual Harassment, Assault Survivors Their Day in Court
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Joe Biden today signed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act into law. Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, released the following statement:
“Thanks to the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment will be able to have their day in court, holding corporations accountable that shield sexual predators. In so doing, the law will actively encourage corporations to take affirmative measures to deter sexual harassment and assault.
“Forced arbitration has been a tool for corporations to keep secret claims of sexual assault and harassment, as well as to deny survivors the ability to win compensation for the harms they suffer. Survivors have been blocked from filing lawsuits in court and must instead seek redress in private arbitration systems that are not public and typically do not afford the same kind of protections that are available in court. Now it comes to an end – at least as regards these claims.
“Forced arbitration plays an equally pernicious role in other employment and consumer cases, and it should be ended in all consumer and employment contracts. The FAIR (Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal) Act would do just that and should be passed into law without delay.”