Quid pro quo harassment for transportation
Cindy, North Carolina
In 1974, I was a 17 year old young woman who was in the process of getting a divorce. I had married in rebellion and to get out of the house. Of course, the marriage did not work out, but I had a 2 year old to take care of by myself. My husband took the car and left us to fend for ourselves. He refused to give me any financial support at all.
I was working in a male oriented business revolving around cars.
The owner of the company where I was employed had numerous vehicles parked in the parking lot. Since he allowed a few other male employees to use company vehicles after business hours, I asked him if I could use one of the cars as I no longer had a way to and from work.
He told me that I could certainly use one of the cars if I would sleep with him in return.
I was floored as he had never shown any harassment behaviors before this moment.
I was in a vulnerable position as I knew I would lose my job if I did not comply and I had a baby to take care of. I felt I had no choice but to agree to his terms. His wife worked in the office also and I had to see her every day and walk past her as my boss made excuses as to why he was taking me with him somewhere.
I talked to one coworker about this. He told me that when our boss was interviewing a woman for a job, his grading system was based on sexy she was. He told me that I was not the first to suffer and I’m sure I wasn’t the last.
In 1974, there was no prosecuting someone for sexual harassment. I did not speak with anyone else until I was much older and felt safe.
I have lived with shame, even though I know it wasn’t my fault. He took advantage of a vulnerable, very young woman. There was nothing sexual about this at all. It was about power…checkmate.
I began looking for another job immediately but had to sleep with him 4 times, before I was able to get out of there.
It is only recently that I have realized that I have been severely affected by that time. I knew I was angry, but I didn’t understand the damage until just this week. I wish that I could stand up to him and make him responsible for what he has done to me, but too much time has passed.
I will now work hard to bring attention to this subject to help others and to bring healing to my broken spirit.
