“A new day is on the horizon! And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women … and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that … nobody ever has to say “Me too” again.” – Oprah
After the Harvey Weinstein scandal broke, “Me too” has been used in connection with many alleged harassers. As part of this movement, a Legal Defense Fund has been set up. The TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund was spearheaded by people in the entertainment industry, including lawyers Tina Tchen and Roberta Kaplan.
The Fund will connect individuals who face workplace sexual harassment with legal representation and public relations assistance. Criteria for eligibility has not been set out. To date the fund has accumulated $13 million.
Many questions remain. Will the defence fund be mostly aimed at helping complainants in criminal proceedings or to launch civil suits against alleged harassers? If money is recovered, will individuals be required to pay lawyers from the proceeds? How will the fund vet applicants? How will conflicts of interest be dealt with?
(Views are my own and do not represent the views of any organization.)
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