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| Ill. DOC officers file sexual harassment lawsuit |
| By The Southern |
| Published: 03/05/2004 |
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A dozen female corrections officers filed a federal lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Corrections Thursday, alleging that they were sexually harassed on the job and then retaliated against for reporting the harassment. The complaints, filed at the federal courthouse in Benton, cover a lengthy period of time and allege such incidents as repeated acts of verbal sexual abuse, snapping bra straps, looking down shirts, reaching down the back of female officers' pants and pulling up underpants, and unwanted kissing and touching. The suit also alleges that on one occasion, a male correctional officer unzipped his pants and exposed his underwear indicating that he was sexually aroused. A corrections department spokesman said it has strict policies against sexual harassment. Those filing the suit are employed at Menard Correctional Center and Tamms Correctional Center. Two Southern Illinois law firms -- Hart & Hart Attorneys in Benton and Rhode & Jackson in Carbondale -- jointly filed the suit that names the state of Illinois and the Department of Corrections as defendants. Courtney Cox, a partner with Hart & Hart, said sexual harassment within the corrections department is "pervasive" and "systemic." "This is more than just another sexual harassment lawsuit," Cox said. "This is about a widespread problem that exists in the Department of Corrections. Cox said an initial complaint was first filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and following an investigation that agency determined that enough evidence was found to grant the women the right to sue. Cox said when the female correctional officers attempted to report the allegations of sexual harassment, those complaints were met with retaliatory action. Sergio Molina, a spokesperson with the Department of Corrections, said he has not yet seen the lawsuit but said the state has strict policies and guidelines concerning any form of harassment. The lawsuit asks for compensatory damages for all 12 plaintiffs for injuries suffered that include emotional pain, suffering, inconveniences, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life. All 12 of the women are still currently employees of the DOC. The complaint also asks for a jury trial. |
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