SERINO STANDS TO PREVENT SEXUAL HARASSMENT, EMPOWER SURVIVORS, PUSH FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

Albany, NY— With disgraced Governor Andrew Cuomo launching a media blitz this week to discredit those who allege he sexually harassed them, Senator Sue Serino today brought an amendment before the Senate that would create an independent commission to collect reports of sexual harassment in state government, investigate them, and hold perpetrators accountable. 

Senator Serino’s action came in response to the Supermajority’s attempt to pass a package of bills they claim would deter sexual harassment. However, in speaking on the Senate floor, Senator Serino pointed out that the package includes all bills that were already passed by the Senate last year, but died in the Assembly. Senator Serino attached her amendment to a bill (S. 812A) that would create a confidential legal hotline to provide pro bono advice to victims, a bill she noted would be a step forward, but fails to get to the heart of the issue—actually holding perpetrators of sexual harassment accountable.

In arguing for the advancement of her amendment, Senator Serino stated the following:

“While I support the intent of the bill before us today, which would create a confidential legal hotline to provide pro bono advice to victims, once again, I think we’re still failing to get to the heart of the issue to actually prevent sexual harassment here in state government. The problem is a lack of effective enforcement of the laws we have on the books. What’s missing is a process that victims can actually trust to hold perpetrators accountable.”

Serino continued saying, “Look at what’s happening with former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Here we are passing the same old package of bills we passed last year, on a day when the disgraced Governor is launching a media blitz to discredit the voices of his victims and sway public opinion in his favor. This is the kind of behavior that discourages victims from speaking out against abusers who clearly hold all the power here, and nothing we’re passing today would prevent this from happening again in the future.”

Senator Serino concluded with the following, “We could pass my amendment today and make New York a safer place to work for all of our valued government employees. Once again, this is a moment to set politics aside and work together to ensure that our state is a place where survivors are heard, perpetrators are held accountable and all New Yorkers feel safe from harassment of any kind.”

The Senate’s Supermajority voted against advancing the amendment.

To view footage of Senator Serino speech on the Senate floor, click here.

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