Event explores sex-abuse danger facing women in janitorial work

Fri, Jul 13, 2018 (2 a.m.)

Local advocacy groups are combining to train local businesses and stakeholders on potential acts of sexual assault that can occur during the night shift.

From 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. today participants will go through training, discuss best practices and watch the investigative documentary “Rape on the Night Shift” at the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, 710 W. Lake Mead Blvd. The groups include: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, Battle Born Progress, Safe Nest and the Rape Crisis Center.

The documentary explores the conditions of immigrant women working in the janitorial industry.

“In the era of #MeToo, this is timely information. Although, understand that this documentary and work have been going on for many years,” said Susan Meuschke, the coalition’s executive director. “It documents sexual harassment and the types of sexual assaults that occur within the janitorial staff — people who are working the night shift and oftentimes are working alone and are individuals who are often vulnerable.”

Training will last from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by the documentary from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and audience participation and discussion from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wendy Martin, the director of the local office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, will also give a presentation.

“These kinds of events should be happening everywhere, but clearly Las Vegas is a community where there are a lot of folks who are working the night shift, whether they’re janitorial staff or housekeeping staff,” Meuschke said. “It’s about bringing awareness to a group of people who experience sexual harassment, sexual abuse that are often in the shadows.”

To RSVP to the event, visit here.

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