Women unite to confront sexual harassment

On a hot Saturday in July, instead of heading for the beach, twenty Latina and Brazilian women came together in MassCOSH’s new office, determined to confront an occupational hazard that is causing widespread harm in their community: sexual harassment and assault.

“Sexual Harassment is an epidemic that needs to end,” stated Lucimara Peres, to the nods of the other women participating in ‘Woman Coming Together to Overcome Workplace Sexual Harassment and Violence Against Woman’, a workshop organized by the MassCOSH Worker Center.

The culturally-focused workshop, the first of several sessions organized by the worker center, was held in an environment free of judgment and shame.

“In this group, women are free to speak about issues they face in their workplace, with the goal of supporting each other so we can overcome the problem of harassment,” says Isabel Lopez, MassCOSH’s Worker Center Coordinator. “We provide women with a resource center where they can gather information about sexual harassment, how to identify abuse and organize to bring a stop to it.”

Latinas constitute one of the largest groups entering the service labor in the United States but many of these women endure low wages and hostile working environments. Employers can, and do, exploit immigrant women with sexually harassment, intimidation, and many times physical abuse if they resist or confront their employer. Many employers harass their female employers because they can get away with it.

According to Lopez and the participants, Latina workers are more vulnerable to sexual harassment and violence at work. Fear of losing their job as well as language barriers can make it difficult for workers to bring the problem to management. Embarrassment and shame make it difficult to even discuss the issue with co-workers, causing enormous physical and emotional hardship to the worker.

“We are told of the various abuses these women experience in their workplaces and that it happens everyday,” said Mirna Montano, a MassCOSH Worker Center Organizer. “Many Latina women are being sexually harassed but cannot afford quitting their jobs because they need to support their families “

The Workers Center is aiming to bring Latina women together in an organized manner to overcome language and cultural barriers, find support in their communities, and jointly find solutions to the issues that affect the immigrant community. The Workers Center hopes to play a major role in helping to empower Latina immigrants and workers to take action collectively and send a strong message to employers in Massachusetts that sexual harassment is unacceptable.

“Employers need to understand that when sexual harassment or violence occurs at their workplace, they need to take appropriate actions immediately,” warns Montano. “Every worker has a right to a job free of harassment – sexual or otherwise – and that it is up to management to enforce this.”

Both Brazilian and Latina members of this new partnership will be conducting outreach and education in their networks. The Workers Center hopes this will lead to increased awareness of woman’s rights on the job and action.

“We want to see our communities empower other women about sexual harassment and violence and how it’s not acceptable,” says Doris Alves, another participant. “[Sexual harassment] affects our self esteem, our families, and has a very negative impact in our lives.

For the Workers Center Sexual Harassment informational brochure, click here.

For more information on the next Woman Coming Together to Overcome Workplace Sexual Harassment and Violence Against Woman, please contact Isabel Lopez at 617.825.7233 extension 18
 

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