[R]ep. Sarah Copeland Hanzas was in her first term as a legislator when, in a post-adjournment moment of milling about on the House floor, an older lawmaker put his hand on her rear.
It wasn’t particularly provocative, the Bradford Democrat said, and she didn’t immediately tell anyone or do anything about it.
The second time, it happened in the cafeteria: There was “a very intentional hand on my ass,” she said.
That time, Copeland Hanzas took the story to party leadership. And it never happened again.
In the wake of allegations that Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein engaged in a decades-long pattern of sexual harassment and abuse, women have come forward to describe workplace misconduct across many industries — including in statehouses around the country.
Women who have spent time in the Vermont Statehouse as lawmakers, lobbyists and staff shared stories for this article of being subjected to touching or comments they considered inappropriate and unwanted.
Although some incidents they described happened many years ago, many people said there is a need for more vigilance to address sexual misconduct under the golden dome.
She noted that in recent years the Legislature has instituted regular anti-sexual harassment training and now has a process through which incidents can be reported.
From her perspective, the incident with the older lawmaker illustrated a generational gap more than a cultural problem. However, she pointed to a common theme of stories emerging about workplace sexual misconduct.
“Wherever there is a power differential between two individuals, there is the potential for an unwanted sexual advance to turn into harassment,” Copeland Hanzas said.
Sexual conduct came under sharp scrutiny 2½ years ago in Vermont when then-Sen. Norm McAllister was arrested on the capitol steps and accused of sexually assaulting two women, including his Statehouse intern.
McAllister was convicted this year of a misdemeanor prostitution charge but acquitted of felony charges of sexual assault. Charges involving another woman were dropped last year after it emerged that she had lied about a minor detail while under oath.
Some who work in the Statehouse say McAllister’s arrest was shocking and shined a light on the issue. However, others say an atmosphere persists that allows unwanted behavior or comments.
In the wake of revelations about Weinstein, many women began sharing their own experiences of sexual harassment and assault on social media, using the hashtag #MeToo.
Buxton said she was at an event at a local restaurant with legislators and state officials when the man sitting next to her began putting his hand up her skirt.
The man, whom she didn’t identify, was not a lawmaker but was, she said, high profile in Montpelier.
Buxton initially swatted him away, she said. She gave him a stern look and said something like, “Cut it out,” she recalled.
About five minutes later, he did the same thing again.
She again swatted him away but that time stood up to leave. Another lawmaker came over and asked if he could have a word with her in a different part of the room.
That was a way to give her an opening to remove herself from an uncomfortable situation, she felt.
Buxton said she was not concerned about her physical safety in that moment, but about what the interaction with the first man might mean for her reputation.
“That is not what I came to Montpelier to represent,” she said.
“You just do not want to have your name associated with (that),” Buxton said. “Whether it’s your fault or not.”
Others besides lawmakers reported having been subject to physical touching or comments they found inappropriate.
A former government staffer who asked not to be identified said she experienced sexual harassment in multiple times while working in the Statehouse.
Once several years ago, she said, a lawmaker grabbed her buttocks while she was in the cafeteria.
Another legislator witnessed the incident, she recalled, and commented only that the lawmaker should be careful because he might be reported.
She also recalled lawmakers’ remarks about her legs, and persistent questions about her relationship status.
One lobbyist called it an “old-fashioned ‘Mad Men’ type of culture” there.
She said it was evident primarily in the form of comments she characterized as “micro-aggressions.” Men in the building might comment on a woman’s looks or clothing, or treat her differently than they would a man in the same position.
“It’s just toxic masculinity, for lack of a better word,” said the lobbyist.
Johnson was among lawmakers who posted “#metoo” on social media. However, when asked, she did not go into detail.
Her experience in the Legislature has “dramatically improved,” she said. However, she acknowledged that her role has changed, too. Johnson became speaker early this year after serving at the helm of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
“Sexual harassment is about a power dynamic, and I have a different level of power than I did 15 years ago,” she said.
Johnson said the Legislature has put in place systems in recent years for attempting to prevent sexual harassment and for giving people a way to come forward when something inappropriate happens.
Both the House and Senate have committees charged with oversight regarding sexual harassment involving members. People who have experienced inappropriate behavior at the hands of a legislator can go to members of either of those committees.
The Legislature also has regular training sessions with an expert, aimed at educating people about what is and isn’t appropriate behavior.
As recently as last spring, the House updated the chamber rules on the issue.
However, Johnson said the issue is broader than the Legislature.
“There’s a subtle and pervasive culture of discrimination in many, many places,” Johnson said. “This isn’t just a Statehouse thing.”
Senate President Pro Tem Tim Ashe, D/P-Chittenden, said it is a “huge issue” nationally and there is a need to be “vigilant” about the Vermont Statehouse.
“I think for women and for most men there is an acknowledgment that this is not a new problem,” Ashe said.
He said he circulated news about sexual harassment in other statehouses to the members of the Senate, with a message that it is possible such patterns could happen in Vermont, too.
Under the current system, if someone — a lawmaker, staff member, lobbyist or otherwise — has a complaint against a senator, that report goes to a committee of senators. That may be an intimidating situation for non-legislators, she said.
Balint said her experiences in the Statehouse have pointed up an atmosphere where people of different genders are treated differently.
“I think there’s a problem with sexism,” Balint said. “I think there’s a problem with people unintentionally, sometimes intentionally, belittling women and their experiences and their voices.”
Balint, who is openly gay, said other lawmakers have made remarks that she found uncomfortable, sometimes about her sexuality. At times, “I doubted my place” in the Statehouse, she said.
“Whether you’re a woman or you’re a person of color or a gay person in an environment that’s overwhelmingly white and heterosexual, you do question how you’re going to make a place for yourself,” she said.
Note: This story was updated at 2:20 p.m.