SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – San Francisco politics is having a “Me Too” moment. The San Francisco Democratic Party is launching a new initiative to help victims of sexual abuse and assault after members of the party have been accused of sexual misconduct.
Last week, more than a dozen people took to the microphone at a special meeting hosted by the San Francisco Democratic Party. This comes in the wake of recent allegations against prominent figures in local politics.
Victims of sexual harassment told party leaders about their experiences. Party chairwoman Nancy Tan said this was long overdue. The idea originally came to him in 2021.
“The party at the time did not take action,” she said. “But this is something that I was very supportive of when[the San Francisco Women’s Political Committee]first came to us, and given some of the events that have been reported recently. I felt it was time to take action. And if not now, then when?”
According to Tun, this is because fewer young people are participating in politics. She says it’s because many of them don’t feel safe.
The organization wants to draft a code of conduct for members of the Democratic Party and its affiliates to abide by. Mr Tan said this hearing was the first of many to come, but the first session was a success.
“I was actually blown away by it,” she said. “What we really tried to do was make it very survivor-centered. We had a sexual assault therapist on staff. We had an expert on Marcy’s Law.”
Representative Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco also expressed support for the committee and sent a letter to Mr. Tung. Pelosi called on the committee to “implement robust standards of independence, thoroughness, and due process” in its efforts.
“It is our party’s duty to work to ensure a safe environment free of harassment and violence. People can exercise their right to participate in political debate, and we are fostering a new generation of leadership within the Democratic Party. We can continue,” Tung said.
Meanwhile, San Francisco city leaders held their own hearing last night to examine how top officials handled some of these incidents. Nearly five years ago, San Francisco established SHARP, the Office of Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention.
Supervisor Hilary Ronen told the committee Thursday that she will require frequent reporting on its efforts and efforts to strengthen confidentiality to better protect survivors who come forward.
