Economy
The Local Fight to End Sexual Assault in Low-Wage Jobs
Hospitality and domestic workers suffer staggering rates of sexual harassment and assault. But they are among women still largely omitted from the #MeToo movement—and many federal protections.
For ten years, Tina has been cleaning rooms at a hotel in downtown Chicago. Her shift usually goes from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but occasionally, she’ll work overtime late into the night. “There’s nobody around,” she told me. “If something happened and you screamed, I don’t think anybody would be able to hear you.”
And things have happened. From time to time, male guests have opened the doors without clothes on. But because they’re guests, Tina has been unable to express that she is uncomfortable or walk away. She’s been particularly nervous since one of her colleagues was physically attacked while cleaning a room.