FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Pennsylvania NOW Calls For Commissioner Frank Noonan to Resign
PHILADELPHIA, October 2, 2014- It’s been a week since Attorney General Kathleen Kane disclosed that hundreds of sexually explicit materials had been shared via email in the Attorney General’s office under Tom Corbett’s leadership. It is appropriate that Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary E. Christopher Abruzzo has resigned in the wake of the scandal, and that he accepts responsibility for the “lack of judgement” allowing such a practice to continue demonstrates. The Pennsylvania state chapter of the National Organization for Women (PA NOW) calls on Governor Corbett to take swifter action addressing the issue and to answer questions about his own leadership of the office during the time this widespread practice occurred. State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan and others currently serving in leadership positions within the Corbett administration should be asked to resign.
According to Kane, Commissioner Frank Noonan received 338 emails with explicit content, pornographic images depicting women in workplace settings, and violent porn, none of which have any place in an office setting nor in the halls of government, and which contribute to a hostile work environment. After having received 338 pornographic emails, it certainly doesn’t reflect well on Noonan’s judgement not to have stopped the circulation of such images at work.
Pornography has no place at work. It’s harder for women to work in an atmosphere where sexism is tolerated, and even encouraged. It contributes to a sexist culture that’s unacceptable in any workplace, in government, and most especially in our law enforcement agencies where women trust officials to evaluate cases free of the stereotypes and myths that often accompany sexual assault and harassment.
“Women, as well as men, expect the state’s law enforcement officers to have better judgement, to model behavior that doesn’t tolerate sexism. The volume suggests that Commissioner Noonan either ignored the problem or condoned it. In either case, it’s appropriate for the Governor to ask for resignations,” said PA NOW President Caryn Hunt. “Sharing pornography at work- especially sexual fantasies about workplace relationships – contributes to a hostile, sexist workplace culture. If you don’t know that pornography belongs in your private life, and not at work, then at best it’s fair to seriously question your judgement and your competency to lead both men and women. ”
Fostering a sexist work atmosphere undermines the public’s trust of our top law enforcement officials. We call on the Governor to act now so that every member of state government knows this practice will not be tolerated.
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Caryn Hunt President, Pennsylvania NOW 814-280-8571 |
