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Edited on Wed Feb-22-06 03:51 PM by davsand
Without getting too far into details, he was suspended and barred from coming back into the office. That was overturned with legal maneuvering and he has been in the office ever since. The harassment has continued and it has been VERY ugly.
I've been under a gag order the entire time because an investigation was ongoing. In the meantime, the abuser has been out in the press claiming that this is some kind of evil political plot to do him in. I can't begin to tell you how awful it has been to have to sit silent while he demeaned us for speaking out. Finally, the union stepped up and went public with information that they had from one of their members. I am not union, (unfortunately!) but in this case, the union has helped all of us.
The Board meets tomorrow night and they are the only ones that can remove him from the office. The picket line is planned for the hour before that meeting, and it is being organized by the labor union. It has been publicized and my expectation is that the media will be there. I can't imagine that it will get too far out of hand with the media there--but I guess you just can't predict that kind of stuff. Kevsand (my spousal unit and fellow DUer) will be there with me, as will the other women. I've made arrangements that Material Girl will stay with Grandma--no way will I put her in any kind of risky situation.
Frankly, my butt is so far out on a limb right now, that I expect that my career will suffer, in spite of the fact that I tried to do the right thing. This whole mess has left me feeling battered, and some days I am struggling to find hope--other days I am fine. I have honestly felt that this whole process has been every bit as bad as living thru the events that I endured originally. I've felt violated twice over...
It has all been worth it, however. I did what I felt was the right thing, and I stood up when it was not terribly convenient or even safe to do so. Yesterday, my 8 year old (Material Girl) told me she was proud of me--and THAT really hit me hard. SHE and all the other women out there that have to (or will have to) work for a living are the ones that I'm standing up for.
This too shall pass (kinda like a kidney stone!!)
Laura
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