‘Nothing was done’ about sexual harassment accusation, former Young Greens leader says

The former Young Greens president has claimed the party did nothing when it reported alleged sexual harassment.

Tara Gilsenan, who recently left the party, says she and another member reported the incidents to the party and, when nothing was done, felt she had no choice but to speak openly about the issue in her speech during the convention.

She said a member of the Young Greens started harassing another girl, “and finally he went ahead and came for me.”

Ms. Gilsenan says the person would touch her inappropriately and comment on her appearance and body.

“I didn’t know what to do,” he said. “When I turned them down, they got pissed off, they started talking to me over and over again.”

She said that she finally reported the situation to senior members who took notes and said they would do something. However, he said nothing ever happened.

“We couldn’t find a way to file a complaint, we couldn’t find a harassment policy,” he said. “It got so awkward, we were on the edge of our wits because no one was doing anything.

“In the end, when I got up at the convention last month, I said during my speech that I had reported sexual harassment and that nothing had been done. I am still very upset.”

After this, Ms Gilsenan said that party chair Hazel Chu and General Secretary Bláithín Gallagher contacted her about the incident.

“I ended up in a meeting after they called me,” he said. “They asked me for help writing a harassment policy, but it has not been mentioned since.”

Ms Gilsenan, along with several others, left the party more than a week ago during the controversy over recent legislation on the home for mothers and babies.

She says that although the legislation bothered her, the party gave her many reasons to leave.

“I have no idea how I managed to hold out for so long,” he said.

Other young women who have left the party, including Southeastern Cork City Councilor Lorna Bogue and former European Parliament candidate Saoirse McHugh, have said there is “toxicity” within the party, including problems with the party. sexism and reporting procedures. Ms. Gilsenan confirms that she had similar experiences.

“They have told me that I am the subject of group chats, I have seen some of the things that have called me,” he said.

“They told me that my views are not compatible with the party. I have been harassed and called by all the names under the sun. A lot of things are happening: age discrimination, sexism and misogyny. Talk to any woman in the Greens and them ‘ I’ll tell you.”

Ms. Gilsenan says she is not sure about going back to politics.

“I think they misled me, they told us we were joining a left-wing party, and maybe I should have known better. I can’t jump into another game as I don’t think any of the others know enough about the weather.”

The Green Party said it takes “any accusation of harassment extremely seriously.”

“We encourage everyone, current or former members, to report any incidents through the appropriate channels,” said a spokesperson. “The party has procedures in place to handle any such allegation. Every complaint is followed up; however, the party cannot comment on individual cases.”

“When complaints are filed, the party will first try to resolve them informally and if a solution cannot be found then a formal process begins.

“The informal process involves a third party in the complaint who talks with those involved to see if it can be resolved through an apology or mediation. Contact is only made between the aggrieved parties if they agree.”