Zephyr Teachout Joins Survivors to Pledge Era of Accountability in New York State

NEW YORK, NY (11/17/2021) (readMedia)-- On Wednesday, Zephyr Teachout joined survivors -- including Marissa Hoechstetter, Erica Vladimer and Rita Pasarell -- to pledge an era of accountability in New York State. Incoming Council Member Rita Joseph also joined. Teachout launched her bid for Attorney General earlier this week.

You can watch the full press conference here.

"Sexual misconduct and abuse is an attack on human dignity and it's compounded when institutions like the criminal justice system, JCOPE, or corporations fail to prioritize justice. Survivors deserve the same protections as any other employee or victim, and access to the civil courts when they don't get it. The job of the Attorney General is to hold power accountable and advocate for better laws, and that's exactly what I'll do. I'm proud to support these inspiring leaders today and every day," said Zephyr Teachout.

Survivors of gender based discrimination and violence are routinely failed by institutions like the criminal justice system and JCOPE. The Adult Survivors Act (A.648 Rosenthal/S.66 Hoylman) and closure of the "license to harass" loophole (A2483A Niou/S3395 Gounardes) would give victims necessary recourse in the civil courts. Survivors are routinely failed by the criminal justice system: According to RAINN's estimates, out of every 1,000 rapes, 384 are reported to the police, and of those, only 11 are referred for prosecution. A staggering 975 predators will walk free out of every 1,000 rapes. Additionally, more than 20 percent of Black women are raped during their lifetimes, a higher share than among women overall, but only one in every 15 Black women report their abuse.

"The next Attorney General must be a bold progressive who will prioritize the lived experiences of sexual assault survivors. Currently, only one in 15 Black women report their assaults. If Zephyr's elected, I know that more women who look like me will feel comfortable reporting their assaults because they'll know that they have an ally who will fight for them and justice," said incoming Council Member Rita Joseph.

"Public servants deserve a dignified workplace and institutional leaders who will fight with and for their rights. I'm so grateful Zephyr, who is no stranger to holding the powerful accountable, is committed to protecting legislative staff across New York. I know that alongside some of our fierce legislative sponsors, Zephyr will fight for all of us," said Erica Vladimer.

"Today I join Zephyr Teachout as she leads the call for accountability in New York. Worker safety must be prioritized, and all workers must be securely protected from sexual harassment -- including the staff of elected and appointed officials. New York must end the 'license to harass' which is currently allowed for elected and appointed officials, by passing the bill carried by Senator Gounardes and Assembly Member Niou (S3395/A2483A)," said Rita Pasarell, workers' rights advocate.

"Zephyr Teachout is truly the people's lawyer and is committed to protecting public servants from harassment and discrimination that has long plagued Albany. She is no stranger to standing up for what is right to ensure that all workers across the state, including their own employees, will be afforded the protections that nearly all other workers receive. I'm proud to support her in her race for Attorney General," said Leah Hebert, worker's rights advocate.

"There is no way to have a real public reckoning for sexual assault without access to justice and institutional accountability. This can happen civilly by passing legislation like the Adult Survivors Act giving time-barred victims access to the courts. This can happen criminally by Attorneys General and other law enforcement agencies holding institutions responsible for actions that leave workers, patients, tenants, and so many others vulernable to sexual abuse and exploitation. Zephyr knows that to do that the Attorney General must take on some of our most beloved and powerful institutions. I am proud to endorse her because she understands that doing so is perhaps her greatest charge and she is not afraid to do it," said Marissa Hoechstetter.

Federal Title VII contains a carve-out for the "personal staff" of elected officials, exempting them from protections against discrimination and harassment. A bill to close the "license to harass" loophole would amend the NYS Human Rights Law to classify staff of elected and appointed officials as employees of the government entity for which they work; whether it is New York State, or a city, county or municipality. Another bill, known as the Adult Survivors Act, would open a one-year look-back window for time-barred survivors -- who were over the age of 18 at the time of their abuse -- to sue their abuser, or the institution that protected their abuser, in civil court. The bill is modeled on the Child Victims Act which has allowed 10,000 time-barred survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil suits in New York State.

About Zephyr Teachout

Zephyr Teachout is a nationally recognized constitutional law expert, anti-corruption activist, and the leading voice against big corporate monopolies threatening democracy, equity, and human dignity. Growing up in a small, rural community she learned respect for the land and people she disagreed with, but to never back down from a hard fight. A Professor at Fordham Law, she lives with her husband Nick, a public school science teacher and their 3 year old son in Manhattan where her 25 year old step-daughter visits them.