More National Park Service employees have come forward with complaints of sexual harassment at parks around the country. This since a federal investigation in Januaryrevealed a long history of misconduct at the Grand Canyon.
At least 18 Yosemite National Park employees have filed allegations of harassment, bullying and hostility. Numerous people have filed complaints at Yellowstone as well.
The House Oversight And Government Reform Committee held a hearing this week to learn what’s been done to stop the culture of harassment.
Former Grand Canyon employee Kelly Martin spoke to the committee about a 1987 peeping Tom incident.
“I was able to positively identify a park ranger in uniform that was peering through my bathroom window,” Martin said. “It was a very difficult and painful experience for me. I reported it to two supervisors. Visibly shaken it was very very difficult for me to do. It was very embarrassing.”
That park ranger not only kept his job, but today enjoys retirement benefits.
“What in the world does it take to get fired from the park service?!” said Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz, who chairs the committee.
Chaffetz and other lawmakers have called for urgent agency reform to hold those guilty of harassment accountable.
