A whopping one-in-four women say they have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. One-in-three women have experienced some form of sexual violence in her lifetime. Almost 23 million women have been victims of rape or attempted rape in the United States.
 
We believe women. We believe facts.
 
Sexual harassment and assault is not ‘locker room talk,’ and it is absolutely unacceptable in any workplace, and most certainly in any political office—where office holders should strive to be role models. It is also clear that our nation’s sexual harassment and assault crisis is not a partisan issue. It cuts across every industry and sector of society, and it must stop—period.  
 
It must be noted that due to disparities in power both in and outside of the workplace, women, and especially women of color, often risk their income, safety, and livelihoods when they seek out even basic remedies for the crimes committed against them.  As we recognize the women who have come forward, we recognize that millions of other women—many of whom work in positions where their abuser is not a public figure - still face barriers to justice.
 
We know, and research backs up, that one solution to changing the culture that allows sexual assault and harassment to thrive in the workplace is to hire and promote more women in every sector—including in elected office. Representation matters, and when more women are at the table, it will help change the culture.
 
MomsRising stands with the millions of women who have faced any act of harassment or assault, and with the brave survivors who have come forward in the #MeToo movement. We are thankful for the leadership of Tarana Burke, who created the #MeToo movement years ago.

Reporters: View this as a statement in our newsroom.