Sexual harassment trials against West Virginia jails begin in December

The first of close to a dozen sexual harassment and abuse trials filed by women in West Virginia jails are set to start in December, according to NENC.com.

Sixty-one women have accused correction guards of repeated sexual harassment and abuse alleging that there was widespread pattern of sexual misconduct. The most severe accusations have been filed against three institutions, The Southern Regional Jail and Beckley Correctional Center, both in Raleigh County, and Lakin Correctional Center in Mason County, according to the attorney representing the women, Mike Woelfel. There are fifty lawsuits pending against the state.

The harassment and abuse came in all forms, some of the allegations include asking the women to expose themselves, peeping into showers and bathroom stalls. Other allegations include guards forcing women to have sex with each other. And guards exposing themselves, in some instances they masturbated.

The fact that women are in jail doesn’t exclude them from being able to seek out a sexual harassment attorney to put an end to the abuse.

The behavior was pervasive and the suit accuses the state of negligence which includes the failure to train guards, properly supervise or intervene. The lawsuits allege that supervisors were complicit in the behavior. People who are harassed have to hire sexual harassment lawyers when people in positions of power fail to address their allegations.

If there is sufficient evidence, sexual harassment attorneys can seek financial compensation for the abuse and harassment they suffered.