Otter responds to NOW, tweets support for ‘#metoo’ effort
In response to a letter from the National Organization for Women’s Southwest Idaho chapter, Gov. Butch Otter today sent out this tweet:
Please join Miss Lori and me in working to bring awareness to the #MeToo movement to stop sexual assault and harassment.
Asked about the tweet, Otter’s press secretary, Jon Hanian, said, “The governor was asked to lend his support to the effort to increase public awareness about this issue by the local chapter of the National Organization for Women. We were happy to provide that statement today. The governor is very concerned any time issues of discrimination or harassment arise in our state.”
Hanian added that Otter “directed our Division of Human Resources to increase the tempo and scale of our training in this area some time ago. That effort has been underway for over a year. As a result, we have seen a significant increase in our training that specifically addresses sexual harassment and discrimination during that time.”
Three Idaho state entities are facing sexual harassment or discrimination claims, the Idaho state controller's office, the Idaho Department of Fish & Game, and the Idaho State Police, which just settled a case.
Here’s the NOW letter, sent to the governor on Oct. 17:
October 17, 2017
The Honorable Butch Otter
Governor
State of Idaho
700 W. Jefferson St
Boise, ID 83720
Dear Governor Otter,
We are writing to strongly encourage you to issue a firm and clear statement that sexual harassment and retaliation for reporting it will not be tolerated in Idaho state government.
In light of several cases now pending, including the recent one at the Dept. of Fish & Game, we believe it is past the time that state employees hear from you - especially those in management.
Sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace should not be happening in Idaho, which holds itself up as a patriotic and safe place where people can live in peace. But there is nothing peaceful about the lifelong experiences women have had fighting sexist job discrimination and sexual harrassment on the job.
This week's national social media trend of posting #MeToo, where women told of their long histories of being harassed, discriminated against, and sometimes assaulted, generated tens of millions of hashtags. Now, millions of men are responding with their own statement, #IWill, stating that they support women, will teach their sons not to be sexist, and will openly stop another man from practicing discrimination, harassment or assault.
We ask that you Tweet #IWill, with your statement, and make it clear that you won't put up with immoral and illegal behavior from men toward women in Idaho.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors, SW Idaho Chapter, National Organization for Women
Mary Mosley, President; Joy McKinnon, Vice-President; Lori Burelle, Marty Durand, Jerilyn Grow, Nancy Harris, Jill Kuraitis and Donna Yule
