The Executive Director of the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault says the recent controversy surrounding Governor Vilsack and Titan Tire has shed light on a statewide problem. Vilsack sent a letter to Titan’s president charging that Bosnian women working in Des Moines were being sexually exploited. Beth Barnhill says sexual harrassment of immigrant women in the workplace is a serious problem in Iowa. She says the Titan case has focused on politics and not on helping the women involved. Barnhill says Iowans need to know what to do to ensure a safe workplace for all workers.Barnhill says the recent surge in immigration in Iowa has increased the problem.She says the state already has good laws in place and plenty of information to help assault victims. Barnhill says the task is to make sure the employees can take advantage of the information.Barnhill says employees and employers who need help can call the sexual abuse hotline at 800-284-7821. Nine Bosnian women who work at Titan Tire have written Vilsack a letter, saying he was spreading a rumor that made them look bad.
