BWU Statement regarding sexual harassment allegations
against Delegate Curt Anderson
Baltimore Women United (BWU) supports the women who have filed sexual harassment complaints against Delegate Curt Anderson, a long-time delegate representing Baltimore City’s 43rd District. We know - in many cases, firsthand - how difficult it is for victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault to come forward, especially when the perpetrators are in positions of power. The #MeToo movement is has brought sexual harassment and violence into a new light, illuminating their true prevalence and devastating impact on their victims. We thank these women who reported their allegations against Delegate Anderson for their courage; thanks to them, the #MeToo movement will continue to build in Maryland, including in the Maryland General Assembly.
These allegations, and those levied on other lawmakers, carried significant weight in Baltimore Women United for Action PAC's recent endorsement process. BWU does not endorse or support candidates or legislators who violate women’s rights to safe and equitable participation in society or who conduct themselves in any way that makes women feel uncomfortable and unsafe.
BWU supported the 2018 legislation that created new policies around sexual harassment in the General Assembly and the handling of such accusations. We hoped that the the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics would move expeditiously on the allegations against Delegate Anderson, who has demonstrated his disdain for the new laws by continuing his abusive behavior. We believe the allegations against the Delegate are so numerous and egregious that his continued presence in the General Assembly discredits the institution and disregards the rights of women in the workplace.
We call upon Speaker Busch and the Maryland General Assembly to take immediate action in this case and send a strong message that this illegal and predatory behavior will not be tolerated, that allegations are urgent and serious, and that all women deserve a safe work environment and that includes legislators, lobbyists, staff, pages and interns. Only through swift action by the General Assembly will the start of culture change in our state capital, and in our state as a whole, occur. We call for a decision to be made in enough time to determine Anderson’s eligibility to be on the November ballot, and we are prepared to take action should a decision not be reached at that time.
While we support calls for Anderson's resignation, BWU is focused on taking on the system and institutions that fester this predatory culture including:
--Swift and consequential action by the Maryland General Assembly, as we describe earlier, is an important step.
--A formal policy by the Maryland Democratic Party that decries sexual harassment and predatory behavior and establishes protocol to reject candidates who exhibit such behavior. The years of allegations against Delegate Anderson should have prompted the Democratic Party to undertake its own investigation and take action to ensure he was not on the ballot in the Primary.
--The media acting as a partner in this #MeToo movement, reporting on allegations of misconduct when they come to light. The accusations against Anderson surfaced early in the 2018 legislative session, and yet were not exposed by the
Baltimore Sun
until the 1st day of Early Voting. By that time, over 1,000 people had already voted, many of whom may not have voted for Anderson if the article had come out earlier.
Sexual harassment and sexual assault are illegal, predatory, and unacceptable. Maryland’s institutions must squelch this problematic culture. Maryland’s General Assembly, and the Democratic Party, needs to set the example.
