San Francisco Elected Official Sexual Harassment Attorney

Being sexually harassed at any job or in any circumstance is distressing. Elected official sexual harassment means the perpetrator is someone that you and the rest of your community trust; someone who has pledged to do good for others and improve the City of San Francisco. This can make it even more difficult to come to terms with the harm that has been done to you by an elected official in a sexual harassment scenario. 

If you or someone you know has been sexually harassed by an elected official, politician or government agent in San Francisco, don’t hesitate to contact our San Francisco sexual harassment lawyers at Manly, Stewart & Finaldi for legal assistance. Our plaintiff’s attorneys can help you pursue justice and maximum financial compensation as a victim.

San Francisco Elected Official Sexual Harassment Lawyer

What Is Elected Official Sexual Harassment in San Francisco?

Sexual harassment refers to any unwanted conduct, attention or remarks that are either of a sexual nature or based on a person’s sex. It is a broad term that can refer to many types of unwelcome physical and verbal sexual attention. Sexual harassment is often brought up in the context of the workplace. Elected official sexual harassment specifically refers to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, offensive conduct or remarks, or sexual violence committed by a person who has been voted into office in San Francisco by the public. 

Examples of elected officials include:

  • Attorney General
  • City Commissioner
  • City Manager
  • City Mayor
  • Comptroller
  • Council Member
  • Governor
  • Lieutenant Governor
  • State Legislator
  • State Supreme Court Justice
  • Treasurer 
  • Trustee

Elected officials who commit sexual harassment may be male or female. The victims can also be either sex, although women statistically experience sexual harassment in the workplace more often than men. Common culprits are people who hold positions of power, such as higher-ups in the political field. These people often use their positions to take advantage of subordinates in the office or workplace. They may assume they will not be held accountable for their actions since they are popular, powerful leaders in the community.

Taking Legal Action Against an Elected Official for Sexual Harassment

No one should have to deal with sexual harassment in any capacity, neither in nor out of the workplace. There are state and federal statutes prohibiting sexual harassment, including California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act. Workers are entitled to an environment free of sexual harassment under this law. Unfortunately, elected officials may think they are above the law. If you get sexually harassed, assaulted or abused by an elected official in San Francisco, you have rights. Take legal action with a civil sexual harassment lawsuit.

A civil claim filed by a sexual harassment victim seeks financial compensation for the losses suffered. It claims that these losses were a direct result of the defendant’s actions. In a sexual harassment case against an elected official, it will be up to you or your attorney to prove that the defendant harassed you or allowed the harassment to occur, and that this is what caused your harm. The burden of proof in a sexual harassment case is a preponderance of the evidence, also known as the “more likely than not” standard. This is less than the burden of proof in a criminal case.

A successful tort claim for sexual harassment in San Francisco could result in a monetary award for your related lost wages, lost capacity to earn, pain and suffering, medical expenses, medications, therapy, emotional harm, and more. Making the elected official or larger office pay for its wrongdoing can also give you an invaluable sense of justice and validation. Finally, taking legal action can force the office to better protect employees or the citizens of San Francisco in the future.

Holding the Government Responsible for Elected Officials

Being sexually harassed or assaulted by an elected official often means you have the right to bring a claim against the city or state government. Elected officials technically work for the government. As such, they are employees whose actions reflect on their employer. The rule of vicarious liability holds employers responsible for the actions of their employees. This means you may be able to hold the larger government agency legally responsible for sexual harassment committed against you by an elected official.

A claim against the City of San Francisco or the State of California will come with unique rules. The California Tort Claims Act lists specific regulations that must be followed to have a valid claim against a government entity. One of the key differences between this type of case and a typical sexual harassment claim is the shorter statute of limitations. You may have just six months from the date of the harassment to file your lawsuit. For this reason, it is important to act quickly to discuss your rights with an attorney and bring a sexual harassment claim.

How to Protect Your Rights After Being Sexually Harassed by an Elected Official in San Francisco

If you believe you are a victim of sexual harassment by an elected official in San Francisco, report the incident to someone in the office, such as the human resources department. Start documenting the situation from the beginning. Collect any available evidence, such as the names of any witnesses, office surveillance camera footage and a copy of the complaint you submitted to HR. 

If your employer doesn’t do anything about the issue, take your complaint to a government agency. Report the harasser to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or Occupational Safety and Health Administration. These organizations can investigate the elected official and help you protect your legal rights. Finally, contact Manly, Stewart & Finaldi as soon as possible to discuss a potential sexual harassment lawsuit in San Francisco.

Contact Our SF Elected Official Harassment Lawyers

Contact Our San Francisco Elected Official Sexual Harassment Lawyers

We offer free and 100-percent confidential consultations to survivors of sexual harassment, assault and abuse by elected officials in San Francisco. Our attorneys will listen to your story and let you know if your case has merit. If so, we may offer to represent you during insurance settlement negotiations or a sexual harassment lawsuit. 

Our San Francisco elected official sexual abuse lawyers will stand by your side through every step of the legal process. We will answer your questions and make sure you have everything you need to get through this difficult time. To request a free case review, call us at (800) 700-8450 or contact us online today.