Sexual Harassment and Assault: Confronting the Threat to Our Statistical Community

• Activity Number: 224 - Sexual Harassment and Assault – Confronting the Threat to Our Statistical Community
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Monday, July 29, 2019 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: ASA Task Force on Sexual Harassment and Assault
• Author(s): Leslie McClure* and Sally C. Morton* and Donna E LaLonde* and Emma Benn*
• Companies: ASA Committee on Women in Statistics and Drexel University and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Virginia Tech
• Keywords: #MeToo; Sexual Misconduct; Professional Development

Abstract

Sexual harassment and assault have been and currently are a threat to society, including our statistical community. Recent reports of misconduct by statisticians, coupled with evidence of the deleterious impact that these unacceptable behaviors have, have many people wondering what can and should the ASA do for its membership? This session provides a transparent overview of what is being done to become informed, develop policy, and act. We start with a description of the ASA Task Force on Sexual Harassment and Assault, established by the Board of Directors in November, 2017. The Task Force will report the actions of the group and our findings. Karen Kafadar, ASA President, will introduce the impetus for appointing the Task Force, and Leslie McClure, Chair of the Task Force, will provide a brief report of our activities. Most importantly, this session will allow for a robust, honest, and respectful question-and-answer session with a panel comprised of Task Force members (although all Task Force members will be in attendance), during which time audience members will be encouraged to ask questions about the activities of the Task Force and our recommendations.