Another worrying detail is the fact that many of the women were retaliated against for speaking out, either being fired, transferred, or denied promotions. This is of course highly illegal.
The Des Moines Police Department has been rocked by a sexual harassment scandal after several women have come forward with shocking claims. Some of these women had been subjected to decades of sexual harassment. The details of this lawsuit are jaw-dropping, and it is difficult to comprehend how such blatant abuse could have been allowed to continue in an organization that is responsible for upholding the law. This isn’t the first police department to be hit with a sexual harassment lawsuit, and unfortunately, it will not be the last.
If you have experienced sexual harassment in your workplace, you have every right to file a lawsuit and hold negligent individuals accountable. You can do this by connecting with a qualified, experienced sexual harassment attorney in Iowa. These legal professionals are committed to helping victims like you, and they can guide you towards a positive outcome. Winning your lawsuit means that you can receive a considerable settlement to cover your damages. You can also ensure that guilty parties experience consequences for their actions.
Female Officers Were Continuously Harassed
At least five female police officers and employees are suing the city of Des Moines and its police department for sexual harassment. Some of these instances date all the way back to the 90s. Some of these women also claim that they were retaliated against for reporting the sexual harassment, and that the police department did very little to address the issues when they became aware of them.
So how were these women harassed? They claim that they were subjected to a toxic work environment in which sexist and homophobic comments were heard on a regular basis. Many of the officers described how they treated women like sexual objects, and others described female officers as “crazy dykes.” Some of the female officers were sexually touched.
But perhaps the most shocking instance of sexual harassment involved a “naked dare game” in which one particular officer sent unwanted nude pictures of himself to various female employees and officers. He then requested that they participate in this naked dare game on numerous occasions despite being asked to stop. This male officer was allowed to retire without incident. The lawsuit alleges that allowing officers to retire for these kinds of controversies was common, and they rarely faced punitive action.
Retaliation is Illegal
Another worrying detail is the fact that many of the women were retaliated against for speaking out, either being fired, transferred, or denied promotions. This is of course highly illegal.
Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today
If you’ve been searching the Iowa area for a qualified, experienced attorney who specializes in sexual harassment lawsuits, there are plenty of options available. These professionals can make sure that negligent co-workers or supervisors experience genuine legal consequences for their actions. As we have seen, even police officers can be guilty of this type of misconduct. Regardless of where you work, you can always file a sexual harassment lawsuit. Book your consultation today.
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