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Legislator takes action against sexual harassment of farmworkers
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May 22, 2014
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Legislator takes action against sexual harassment of farmworkers
It's an open secret in California's agricultural fields and packing houses: female farmworkers often endure sexual harassment, or even sexual assault.
Maricruz Ladino remained silent for seven months after being raped by a work supervisor, afraid to lose her job if she complained, she says.
Maricruz Ladino remained silent for seven months after being raped by a work supervisor, afraid to lose her job if she complained, she says.
(
Grace Rubenstein/KQED
)

It's an open secret in California's agricultural fields and packing houses: female farmworkers often endure sexual harassment, or even sexual assault.

It's an open secret in California's agricultural fields and packing houses: female farmworkers often endure sexual harassment, or even sexual assault. 

The perpetrators often are crew bosses who threaten to the fire the women if they speak up. Now the legislature is considering ways to crack down on employers.

From the California Report, Sasha Khokha has this story.