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organizations to help female firefighter sexual harrasment victims
I was wondering if there were organizations that specialize in helping female firefighters who are victims of sexual harassment?
If not how would I go about starting one.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kaitlyn on
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I am not sure of any but is a great idea and something that is really needed. Especially something completley confidential because most women are scared to say anything. For a multitude of reasons.
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Permalink Reply by Emmaleigh Hardy on
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I'm not sure if there's one but I think it's good idea to start a discussion. I was a victim of sexual harassment. I know that there are some of women who have been through this and were afraid to say anything about it.
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Permalink Reply by bridge on
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I was also ended up reporting it and then felt back lash from my dept. caused a lot of depression issues. I would love to start an organization to help other women
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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First and foremost, if looking to create such an entity, then more power to you and I hope it accomplishes your goals. However, from this aspect, what really are the goals you wish to accomplish that doesn't entail other types of resources currently available? Is it just the fire service aspect? If just the fire service, then what are you offering that perhaps may not be out there already? Are you a certified counselor or are you looking to work with such people, or is this more of a peer type of group?
I won't be so naive to sit back and say that there isn't sexual harassement that occurs in the fire service, but I do wonderthe circumstances involved. I come from a career standpoint and do work with a few women on the dept and there is aspects that come into play. The biggest issue that stands out is the fact that if you believe you are being harassed is to speak up. Seriously, if there is no other issue it is that simplistic portion right there, if something offends you, damn it say something. I have worked with women who were not easily offended, but would let you know if you crossed the line. I also worked with women who would say things that made several firefighters blush......and this is after such training in harassement and so forth.
To me the biggest issue is to speak up, and this is not just to the sisters out there, but if something crosses the line, say something. If you say something the line is drawn and if issues persist, you now have something to go on in regards to disciplinary procedures, as well as documentation on what was really the issue as opposed to rumors. So in that regards, speak up, people may not really know if there is an issue unless something is said. What one may find as harassment, the other may see as flirtatious or cute, to feign it off does not establish a baseline.
Again, I will not pretend this doesn't happen, but most career depts do have to go through mandatory sensitivity type of training.....IMO is BS, since such training doesn't focus on the fire service. Although, perhaps that may be the thing for you to looks towards. Instead of, or in conjunction with your goal of helping female firefighters, how about looking at such corporate training videos and coming up with such training more pertinent to the fire service????? As it is, most jobs don't entail working together for 24 hours etc, and as stated before, there is much women do say and do that can also cross a line.
While not said here, but should be said, when it comes to harassment, keep it at things actually said and document to specifics. If one is offended because someone made a comment that "she" isn't helping to pack hose, or helping to clean up, etc....that is not harassment, it is an observation. Unfortunately, there have been a number of sisters before you that have used "harassement" as an excuse to soak up a nice settlement because they may not have had a real interest in the fire service, or found that the reality of the job, did not fit the glamour they may have thought.
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Permalink Reply by Peter Reilly on
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I agree with John on this. I have worked with women for most of my career. I was there when the department hired their first women. We had to make a lot of changes. If someone said something to you or did something to you. The first and foremost you should say something If I hit you with a hammer and you told me to stop , what would be the difference they both hurt. We are all here to do the same job.
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Im looking to start an organization right now more as a peer support that they can come to when they need advice such as how to speak up and then possibly later on get more people involved.
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Permalink Reply by Derek J Sinesi on
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Bridge, I'm glad that you are looking to due something to help others out with such a touchy subject. I have taught on sexual harassment in a couple of places I have worked. The problem is in any company or fire department is or has anyone set the line. What is their definition of sexual harassment. What is the repercussions of such acts. Most of the time what happens is someone will say they were harassed and go to the top of the chain instead of going through the proper channels. We should go up the chain and make sure we document everything said and to who and when. If there are policies in place there should not be any repercussion's for reporting such alleged actions. If there is no policy then that's were people run into problems.
I have seen sexual harassment from both genders. Being a supervisor at a couple of jobs I have had to investigate such allegation's also. Policies and procedure's make the process a whole lot easier and having a clear definition to what you are considering sexual harassment.
Good Luck to you.
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That was the problem when I reported it. I don't think they knew how to handle it. Once I reported it and then went to the police about it pretty much everyone on the dept stopped talking to me and I got no support at all
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Did you go to one of your line officers first or straight to the police? Has the Department started looking into a sexual harassment policy? I'm not sure about other state's but here in New York every business and Fire Department is suppose to due a annual sexual harassment training class. Most times it is just reading the policies that have been put in place.
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I went to a captain first and then the chief. The chief told me to go to the police if I wanted to. I know they changed some policies as far as going to other depts. for training alone ( as that was what led to the sexual harassment in my case)
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Well it appears that you went the right direction. Sounds as though your officers let you down by not investigating said harassment. Did the harassment come from your own members or the other department?
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