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Daily Line: Alaina Hampton launches #MeToo support group

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Illinois

* Hannah Meisel early this morning at the Daily Line…

Democratic political operative Alaina Hampton shook up Springfield politics last year when she accused a top aide to House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) of sexual harassment, and subsequently sued four of Madigan’s operations — the Democratic Party of Illinois and three of his political funds: Friends of Michael J. Madigan, Democratic Majority and the 13th Ward Democratic Organization — alleging retaliation for “asserting her rights to be free from unlawful harassment and a sexually hostile work environment by failing to hire her to work as a political consultant for the 2018 campaign cycle.”

After traveling and working on out-of-state campaigns last year and earlier this year, Hampton has been back in Chicago, and aims to launch a not-for-profit organization before the end of 2019 that she describes as a foundation that helps pay for “recovery treatment for victims of workplace sexual harassment and abuse.”

But before then, Hampton is rolling out another effort aimed at helping those who have experienced workplace harassment: a monthly support group. The first meeting of Hampton’s group, the Chicago Workplace Sexual Harassment #MeToo Meet Up will be Dec. 2 at Great Central Brewing Company in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood.

Hampton told The Daily Line she’s opening registration for the event to anyone who has been affected by workplace harassment — not just women — and also welcomes those who work outside of politics.

In fact, Hampton said, she got the idea for support group from a professional woman who messaged her on Facebook after a September profile by NPR Illinois, when Hampton revealed she felt she could not seek traditional therapy, because therapy notes are discoverable in a lawsuit when a plaintiff is seeking damages for emotional distress. The woman said she’d had a similar experience at her non-political job, and had been searching for a support group but found none, Hampton said. […]

“When I was being harassed at work, I felt very alone and felt like I was the only person going through this,” Hampton said. “As I sought help and no one helped me, I felt even more isolated…if I had other people I could talk to [who had also been] in those situations, I would’ve felt so much more comfortable.”

More info is here.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:13 pm

Comments

I am not sure I get why avoiding discovery would be the reason for establishing this type of group.

Wouldn’t anything someone says in an informal support group also be evidence that someone could obtain in a civil suit? I can’t think of a privilege that prevents you from being required to answer truthfully what you said to the group, or from subpoenaing a group member to relay that in a dep or trial.

Comment by Wonk Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:44 pm
Good for Alaina. This organization can serve a really useful purpose.

Comment by Shytown Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 1:11 pm
Agree with Shytown.
She was in a tough spot and it is good to see her
using her own experiences to help other people that might be going through a similar struggle.

Comment by Back to the Future Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 1:20 pm
thanks, alaina, for chipping away at the speaker’s powerbase. the residents of illinois owe you a debt.

Comment by dying HDO Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 1:27 pm
First off, great for Alaina - what happened to her was awful, and I’m glad to see her helping others.

BUT - this story has been blown out of proportion a little. She hasn’t been blacklisted. She’s been working campaigns around Chicago for the better part of the last year, all you have to do is ask around and you’ll find she’s been involved in several city council, state leg, and judicial races.

Comment by Just stopping by Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 1:33 pm
Springfield is slow to change and has been tone deaf to the #MeToo movement. The Legislative Inspector General office was vacant for three years 2014-17. Smart move on Alaina Hampton’s part, creating an unbiased outlet outside the sphere of political influence is a wise move.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 1:37 pm
Good on Alaina. All her work in this area has been incredibly brave, especially because of the personal and professional consequences. I really admire that woman and her work on this issue..

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 2:26 pm
This young lady was the victim of the Marty Quinn and his brother Kevin Quinn. Her life will never be the same after the horrific abuse and trauma.

Comment by No to bully Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 2:44 pm
“because therapy notes are discoverable in a lawsuit when a plaintiff is seeking damages for emotional distress.”

Easy solution is to get a therapist who doesn’t take notes. Mine doesn’t.

Comment by Anon E Moose Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 6:48 pm
A patient can always request that no notes be taken by a therapist. Will this support group simply meet or will this become a more formalized operation?

Comment by Ally McBeal Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 11:18 pm