Sexual Harassment Claim Against ICANN Draws in Ombuds

After an incident at a recent public meeting of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, a complainant and respondent have both sought assistance from the organization's Ombudsman. A woman attending ICANN meeting in Morocco on March 6 has claimed that she was sexually harassed by a male participant from the private sector constituency. Since ICANN does not have a formal redressal system for sexual harassment, the woman complained to ICANN's Ombuds, Chris LeHatte.

In the meanwhile, the woman had made the details of her complaint public. LeHatte explained in a letter that his ability to respond had been impacted by the premature publication of the respondent's name. LeHatte also indicated that the male respondent had filed a counter-complaint, which the Ombuds will also be investigating. (The Wire.)

All in an day's work for an Ombuds.

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