What comes next after #MeToo?

Cheektowaga Assemblywoman Monica Wallace hosted a roundtable discussion Thursday morning with public and private sector leaders to share ideas.

“I really wanted to hear from experts on the ground, women I knew, that I trust, who are experts in the field so I can be confident that whichever legislation we’re enacting is something that protects victims of discrimination but gives due process for the accused,” she said.

One of those experts, Kathleen Neville, experienced workplace harassment first hand during the 1980s. Now she works as an advocate and advisor, sharing insight and advice with the NFL and other clients.

She says one obstacle to combating harassment is properly identifying it.

"No one knows the definition of sexual harassment the way they need to in order to eradicate it, to recognize it and to process complaints, and to investigate complaints so I think definition is critical,” Neville said. 

The next step is education, teaching both young girls and boys what is and isn’t appropriate behavior at a younger age.

Now Wallace will take suggestions and data to the assembly with the intent of applying the lessons learned to future legislation.