Continuing to Combat Sexual Harassment in Science
ASM is proud to support the Combatting Sexual Harassment in Science Act of 2021, a bipartisan bill that authorizes funding for research to better understand the causes and consequences of sexual harassment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields and supports policies to reduce harassment and its negative impacts. House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) are once again leading the charge on this legislation which passed the House in the 116th Congress but failed to pass the Senate.
The pervasive nature of sexual harassment, particularly when compounded by harassment based on other characteristics such as race or ethnicity, undermines career advancement for women in STEM fields. ASM recognizes the important role that scientific societies play in ensuring a safe and inclusive environment. This bill follows a from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, which found that sexual harassment is pervasive in institutions of higher education and contributes to loss of talented, highly trained individuals in the STEM workforce.
