Council Democrats in Indianapolis have announced plans to make changes in response to reports of sexual harassment and manipulation by Mayor Joe Hogsett’s former chief of staff. Council President Vop Osili stated that they will create a separate human resources branch to handle discrimination complaints, require annual sexual harassment prevention training for all city employees, and form a commission to review current employee policies. This comes after allegations that former Chief of Staff Thomas Cook sexually harassed multiple female employees over a six-year period. Following the publication of these allegations, two former staffers sent an open letter outlining changes they want to see in city policy. The council’s announcement largely aligns with their demands, including hiring outside investigators and providing a separate reporting pipeline. The council’s reforms will still need to go through the standard legislative process. The goal is to create a safe work environment where every employee feels secure and supported. The council is committed to implementing improvements that will hold all leaders accountable, whether elected, appointed, or hired. Overall, the focus is on disrupting the culture of silence and victim-blaming that allows sexual harassment to persist.
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