Antonio: Time's Up for sexual harassers in positions of power at state capitol

State Rep. Nickie J. Antonio today responded to reports of victims of sexual harassment being publicly shamed and mocked by male legislators in front of some 100 legislators, lobbyists and staff Tuesday night at a staff going-away celebration on capitol square.

“Politicians who think it’s alright to publicly degrade, humiliate and make light of victims who have been sexually harassed and preyed upon by elected officials are part of the problem in America.

“Elected officials, Democratic and Republican, who were sitting in the crowd that night should come forward and demand better, but sadly most of them won’t in an effort to protect the establishment men entrenched in positions of political power across our state.

“Until we demand better of our elected officials and hold them accountable for treating taxpayers like commodities and the Statehouse like a playground, we won’t make progress on important issues like job creation, school funding and equal pay. Time’s up for sexual harassers at the Statehouse.”

State Rep. Nickie Antonio is the former House Democratic whip and past chair of the Ohio House Democratic Women’s Caucus. She and her spouse Jean Kosmac are the mothers of two adult daughters.