Posted: | December 22, 2017 11:17 AM |
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From: | Senator Lawrence M. Farnese, Jr. |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Street Harassment Study |
In the near future, I plan to introduce a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the issue of street harassment in Pennsylvania. Street harassment has been defined by the national organization Stop Street Harassment as unwanted comments, gestures, and actions forced on a stranger in a public place without their consent and is directed at them because of their actual or perceived sex, gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Street harassment is pervasive in our culture, but there is a lack of research and data to understand its true impact. In November 2017, the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, Women’s Health Caucus, and I co-hosted a roundtable to discuss the issue of street harassment and work towards a solution. What became clear during this discussion is that street harassment has serious social and economic impacts on the victims and communities where it takes place. The roundtable discussion can be viewed here. While a multi-faceted approach is needed to fully address this issue, an important part of the solution is to survey street harassment in Pennsylvania to see what policies might be most effective. My legislation will direct the Joint State Government Commission to create an advisory committee to gather data on street harassment and identify policy solutions. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important resolution. |