Originally from Dispute Resolution Journal

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I. INTRODUCTION

In October 2017, more than 80 women accused film producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual abuse  ranging from sexual harassment to rape.  Those allegations touched a nerve for many other victims of sexual harassment.  To them, the Weinstein scandal evinced a broader cultural failing to protect people, particularly women, from unwanted sexual attention in their workplaces. In response, thousands of people took to social media to publicly identify as victims of sexual harassment and assault in an attempt to call attention to the prevalence of those forms of harm.  They united under the hashtag “#MeToo,” meaning “I have also experienced sexual harassment or abuse.”

The #MeToo movement has emboldened many people currently experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace to file claims for relief.  As a result, a question has arisen as to how to meet the influx of sexual harassment claims and to provide victims with the relief they deserve.