Sexual Harassment

The investigation comes days after OPB published an investigation into decades-old claims of sexual abuse against Evans, all from his time as a teacher at St. Helens High School in the 1980s.

In interviews with OPB, former St. Helens High School students say teachers have crossed lines for decades. A teacher who allegedly had a sexual relationship with a student in the 1980s later represented state agencies responsible for protecting Oregon’s children and holding accountable those who abuse them.

During this year's legislative session, lawmakers plan to change or amend Rule 27, the Legislature’s personnel rule for addressing harassment, discrimination and retaliation.

An estimated one in every 10 students nationally will experience some form of educator sexual misconduct by the time they graduate high school.

#MeToo helped launch a wider examination of society's treatment of women in everyday life, at the workplace, and in Hollywood. But there remain institutional problems resistant to change.

Ruben Benavidez has been sued at least six times for allegations of physical assault and sexual harassment. While working as a correctional officer at the Oregon State Correctional Institution in Salem, Benavidez coerced inmates into sexual acts that he would record on his cellphone, a lawsuit filed in federal court alleges.

An active duty sergeant in the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office is facing charges of sexual abuse and harassment in Lane County.

The Southwest Washington school district has been battling public questions on whether school officials disregarded reports of unwanted sexual behaviors among students and teachers. One advocacy group has harshly criticized the district.

The #MeToo reckoning hits its four-year mark this week, and Charlotte Bennett credits the movement for creating the conditions that emboldened her to come forward with her story of sexual harassment by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

OPB higher education reporter Meerah Powell checked in with OPB Weekend Edition host John Notarianni to talk about the numerous difficulties facing universities in Oregon these days.