(VOX) Tara Golshan, November 13, 2017 — All senators and their staff will now be required to undergo sexual harassment prevention training — the first major policy change in Congress since the legislative branch came under heightened scrutiny as a breeding ground for workplace harassment.

The Senate unanimously voted to mandate harassment prevention training late Thursday night, requiring all new lawmakers and staff in the upper chamber to complete training within the first 60 days in office, and repeat it at least once every two-year congressional session.

The resolution, co-sponsored by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), also called to circulate an anonymous survey to gather more information about sexual harassment or similar inappropriate behavior in the Senate.

Until now, workplace harassment prevention training was optional for members of Congress and their staff. In the House, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) has called for a review of sexual harassment training and reporting policies, and House Administration Committee Chair Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS) is holding a hearing on the issue next week. Other trainings, such as for ethics and cybersecurity, are mandatory for employment in Congress.

This action in the Senate comes on the heels of several reports from the Washington Post and Politico demonstrating just how pervasive harassment is in the Washington power center. Several current and former female members of Congress have since shared their own experiences being harassed by their male colleagues.

Source: All senators and their staff will now have to complete sexual harassment prevention training – Vox