Source: Garrett Berquist/WISH-TV / others
INDIANAPOLIS — You’ve heard about the sexual harassment allegations against former Indianapolis Deputy Mayor Thomas Cook and Mayor Joe Hogsett’s public apology. Now a Democrat is calling on the rest of her party to apologize.
In a video posted on Instagram, Democratic state Senator Andrea Hunley, who represents the 46th district, explains that sexual harassment is not just a problem at Thomas Cook, but a systemic problem throughout the hierarchy of the Indiana Democratic Party.
“For some reason, the City of Indianapolis, one of the county’s largest employers with over 7,500 employees in 30 departments, does not have a comprehensive sexual harassment prevention policy or reporting mechanisms. (And) the Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that trains Democratic volunteers, candidates, county party members and elected officials, does not have such policies in place either.” says State Senator Hunley.
Full statement from Senator Hunley on Instagram. Article continues below:
Cook has been publicly accused by Lauren Roberts and Caroline Ellert, two former Hogsett government employees, of inciting sexual harassment and assault dating back nearly a decade.
A third woman also accused Cook. In the report originally filed by digital news channel Mirror Indy, she chose to remain anonymous.
Mayor Hogsett publicly apologized to Roberts and Ellert during the City and County Council meeting last Monday evening, but both women continue to demand the results of the alleged 2017 investigation into Thomas Cook.
Hunley says she chose to remain silent because she thought the state Democratic Party would comment on the allegations against Cook.
However, Hunley is now convinced that her party lacks the will to take on this challenge head-on.
“I have learned my lesson,” Hunley explained on Instagram: “I reminded myself that I was given a voice and a platform for a reason. I was not going to wait for someone else to speak on my behalf, so I am speaking out now. I will not stop until accountability is taken, an independent reporting process is established, and a formal, third-party-led review is conducted.”
Last Friday, the Hogsett administration announced that the mayor plans to sign an executive order “in the coming days” requiring sexual harassment prevention training for all employees. Since 2019, there has been an ordinance in place requiring all supervisors to attend a two-hour sexual harassment prevention course every two years.
