The following is a guest post from Chicago, Ill. Civil Rights Firm Dolan Law Offices:

The civil rights lawyers of Dolan Law Offices have been closely following the allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination against the Houston Fire Department for many months. This post is the third in our series of guest posts on the topic. In August 2009, we wrote about our concern over the culture of harassment and discrimination at the Houston Fire Department. In December 2009, we wrote about our concern over the implementation of the recommendations suggested by the review panel.

Today, we write about a lawsuit that has been filed against the Houston Fire Department.

On April 12, 2010, Jane Draycott, the female firefighter who made allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination against the Houston Fire Department last year, filed a lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that sexual harassment has been occurring, and escalating, within the Houston Fire Department since 2000. The alleged sexual harassment included incidents of unwanted touching, unwanted comments and discrimination based on gender.

The plaintiff alleges that she was subjected to a hostile working environment because of her gender and that the fire department is not taking appropriate steps to combat the racism and sexism that occurred. Her lawsuit alleges that every time she complained of harassment, she was retaliated against. She is seeking monetary damages for her injuries and punitive damages against the Houston Fire Department. She is also seeking to make changes and to allow other female firefighters a fair opportunity for a career free of harassment and discrimination.

Houston’s mayor has told KHOU News that the fire department needs a new attitude, much to the chagrin of fire department officials. It is now up to the court to decide if the fire department’s attitude violated the law.

Civil rights lawyers from Texas, Illinois and around the country are continuing to watch Ms. Draycott’s case and are eager to see justice done for both Ms. Draycott and other similarly situated firefighters.

The Illinois Civil Rights Lawyers of Dolan Law Offices will continue to monitor this case and to represent victims of civil rights violations in Illinois.

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