Whereas the proliferation of disturbing allegations of sexual assault and harassment by powerful, high-profile men has prompted increasing numbers of women to come forward with stories of how predatory sexual behaviors have impacted their lives and careers;

Whereas it is acknowledged that although acts of predatory sexual behaviors may know no gender, women and girls have been disproportionately impacted;

Whereas the problems of sexual harassment and assault are known to be systemic and culturally pervasive throughout this country and impact women and girls in homes, businesses, entertainment and media industries, sports, education, health care and scientific entities and at all levels of government;

Whereas sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;

Whereas sexual harassment is used to intimidate, disempower and discourage women in many occupations, including those which are traditionally male-dominated;

Whereas, since American culture has tended to ignore, minimize, silence and/or cover up instances of sexual harassment and assault, victims have been reluctant to speak out, fearing repercussions to their lives, jobs or careers;

Whereas all people need a safe, professional, supportive environment where they can grow, learn and work optimally;

Whereas the mission of AAUW is to empower all women and girls to reach their highest potential;

Whereas the mission of AAUW is to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research; now therefore be it

Resolved, that AAUW Arizona:

Increases efforts to empower women and girls to reject, report and expose predatory sexual behaviors.  The increased efforts of AAUW Arizona shall include

1. developing a PowerPoint presentation addressing the problems associated with predatory sexual behaviors and with a focus on empowerment of women;
2. programming in branch meetings and through leadership and/or support offering programs in communities, colleges and schools;
3. speaking out via publication of AAUW Arizona’s positions in the media;
4. advocating for strong human resource responses and a climate where women and girls are neither blamed, retaliated against nor held to pay-off and/or non-disclosure clauses that are used to cover up the predatory behaviors; and
5. asking Arizona’s elected officials to sign a pledge to do all that they can to end this violence and to vote for the ERA when it is introduced into the Arizona Legislature.

Adopted 1-19-2018