Experts Say Sexual Harassment Victims Often Keep Quiet
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fear of retaliation is something that kept Pam Dugdale, one of the women backing Kirsten Anderson's sexual harassment accusations against Statehouse Republicans, from speaking up.
Beth Barnhill, of the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault, has been working with sexual assault victims for more than 30 years, and says Dugdale's fear is common.
"I think very often that is the underlying fear, and if you're worried about losing your job altogether, that's your livelihood and how you pay your mortgage and feed your kids," said Barnhill.
Some people do speak out, though. According to the U.S. Department of Employment, sexual discrimination allegations make up nearly a quarter of all discrimination complaints in the workplace in Iowa.
