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Web Resource for Sex Harassment

Coping With Mental Anguish & Emotional Distress of Sexual Harassment, Abuse & Retaliation

Victims of sexual harassment, sexual abuse or sexual harassment retaliation frequently experience significant mental anguish and emotional distress as a result. Symptoms may range from headaches, loss of appetite, crying spells, anxiety, tiredness, sleeplessness and sometimes, depression. In severe cases, victims suffer from a condition known as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Below are governmental agencies, support groups and organizations that assist those victims of sexual harassment and abuse.

Organizations & Groups that Support Victimis of Sexual Harassment and Abuse
Administrative Agencies That Conciliate/Mediate Sexual Harassment Claims and Charges Before a Lawsuit is Filed
Courts/Agencies Where Sexual Harassment or Sexual Harassment Retaliation Cases Can Be Brought

 

 Sexual Harassment, Abuse Support, Women's Rights Groups and Organizations

  • National Organization For Women (NOW)
    NOW provides information on issues of importance to women including resources for those faced with sexual harassment and abuse. It also provides information on other issues of interest of concern to women.
    https://now.org/

  • The Feminist
    An online community that provides help, resources, ideas activism with respect to women's issues. Articles and resources create awareness, advancement of women's issues and exchange of ideas for the purpose of advancement of women.
    http://www.feminist.com/

  • Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women's Network
    A helpful organization dedicated to improving the lives of battered women, their children, and others impacted by domestic violence by leading public policy and advocacy efforts; providing education and raising public awareness; and connecting members of the community to direct service providers.
     http://www.batteredwomensnetwork.org/

  • The Hague Domestic Violence Project
    This site is devoted to providing information to battered mothers, their advocates and attorneys, and judges hearing Hague Convention cases involving adult domestic violence. Our NIJ funded study aims to better understand the experiences of women who have come into the United States with their children after leaving an abusive relationship and who then become involved in a legal dispute under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
    http://www.haguedv.org/

  Administrative Agencies That Conciliate/Mediate Sexual Harassment Claims and Charges Before a Lawsuit is Filed

  • EEOC - U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission
    Filing a Sexual Harassment Charge with the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Victims of sexual harassment or sexual harassment retaliation may file a charge with the EEOC within 300 days of the last act of sexual harassment. After investigation or upon request, the EEOC will typically issue victims of sexual harassment a right-to-sue letter which permits them to sue in the federal court in the area. Recipients of right-to-sue letters must file their lawsuits within 90 days of receiving the right-to-sue letter. EEOC offices are located in all states throughout the United States.
    www.eeoc.gov

  • IDHR  -  Illinois Department of Human Rights
    Filing a Sexual Harassment Charge with the Illinois Department of Human Rights.
    Victims of sexual harassment or sexual harassment retaliation in Illinois, Chicago, Chicago Suburbs and Downstate Illinois may file a charge of sexual harassment with the Illinois Department of Human Rights within 180 days of the last act of harassment. Offices are located in Chicago and Springfield to accept charges of sexual harassment.  https://www2.illinois.gov/DHR/Pages/default.aspx

  • Indiana Civil Rights Commission 
    Filing a Sexual Harassment Charge with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission
    Residents and workers in Indiana may file charges and complaints of sexual harassment or sexual harassment retaliation with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. The website contains information about laws, regulations and frequently asked questions for residents and those who live or work in Indiana.  www.in.gov/icrc/

  • Sexual Harassment in Higher Education, OCR, U.S. Department of Education
    The Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education handles charges and claims of sexual harassment or sexual harassment retaliation in elementary, secondary schools, colleges and universities. Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the discrimination unless the deadline is extended.
     www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/sexharassresources.html

  • Cook County Commission on Human Rights - Charge of Sexual Harassment
    Victims of sexual harassment or sexual harassment retaliation in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, may file a charge of sexual harassment with the Cook County Commission on Human Rights within 180 days of the last act of sexual harassment. The violation must have occurred in Cook County to file a charge at the Commission.
    www.co.cook.il.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=212&parentname=CommunityPage&parentid=1&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true


  • Chicago Commission on Human Rights - Charge of Sexual Harassment
    Victims of sexual harassment or sexual harassment retaliation in Chicago may file a charge of sexual harassment with the Chicago Commission on Human Rights within 180 days of the last act of sexual harassment. The violation must have occurred in Chicago for this Commission to accept the case.
     http://www.cookcountygov.com/portal/server.pt/community/human_rights,_commission_on/301

  • National Labor Relations Board
    The National Labor Relations Board handles labor disputes of employers and employees.
    www.nlrb.gov

 
Courts/Agencies Where Sexual Harassment or Sexual Harassment Retaliation Damages Cases Can Be Brought

  • Illinois Human Rights Commission
    Residents and workers in Chicago, Chicago Suburbs and Downstate Illinois may bring sexual harassment or sexual harassment retaliation claims at the IHRC after investigations are completed at the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IHRC). No jury trial is available at the Human Rights Commission. Public hearings are conducted by administrative law judges (ALJ). Punitive damages are also not available. This website contains information about the commission and its regulations, among other material. www.state.il.us/ihrc/
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District Of Illinois (Federal Court):
    Home page for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Sexual harassment charges are typically first filed with the EEOC before lawsuits are filed in federal courts. Jury trials, compensatory and punitive damages are available in federal courts under Title VII. This site contains downloadable court forms (summons, civil cover sheets, etc.), and the all-important daily calendar of events.
     http://www.ilnd.uscourts.gov/

  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois (Federal Court)
    Home page for the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. The central district covers the areas in downstate Illinois and around Springfield. Sexual harassment charges are typically first filed with the EEOC before lawsuits are filed in federal courts. Jury trials, compensatory and punitive damages are available in federal courts under Title VII. This site contains local rules, downloadable court forms and orders and opinions.
     www.ilcd.uscourts.gov/

  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana: (Federal Court)
    Home page for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. This court served the areas around in the norther district of Indiana. Sexual harassment charges are typically first filed with the EEOC before lawsuits are filed in federal courts. Jury trials, compensatory and punitive damages are available in federal courts under Title VII. The website contains forms, local rules and opinions.
    www.innd.uscourts.gov/

 

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