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Jamie can’t file U.S. criminal charges because the rape took place overseas, and a fine-print clause in her contract takes away her right to file a lawsuit in the U.S.
Why? Because big corporations, led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have worked for years to prevent workers from suing their employers in almost any circumstance, even sexual assault.
The good news is that a bipartisan group in Congress is working to protect the rights of rape victims like Jamie. But, shockingly, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is fighting it.
They sent a letter to Congress saying that it would “set a dangerous precedent” to allow rape victims into court.
The worst news? The Chamber has enough clout to tie up the bill for years — unless we fight back.
Jamie Leigh Jones is not alone. Mary Beth Kineston was a truck driver with a private contractor in Iraq when she was sexually assaulted by one coworker and groped by another. When Mary Beth complained to her supervisors, she was fired. Like Jamie, Mary Beth was blocked from bringing charges in U.S. court.
Workers who are sexually assaulted while working for defense contractors overseas typically have few options. They can’t bring charges in the country where the crime was committed, and they are blocked from U.S. courts as well. Their only option is to go before a secretive, private panel where the process is heavily biased in favor of corporations.
Jamie has teamed up with organizations like the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Public Citizen, and others to end this injustice. Congress is considering an amendment to do just that, but they’ve run into a massive lobbying campaign led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
To add your name to our petition telling the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to stop opposing the rights of rape victims, just click here.
Then, forward this petition to your friends so we can keep it going.
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