Eventually, the man was found guilty of assault in municipal court. He paid a fine.

This is where the story gets all too familiar for women who have reported sexual harassment at work, or sexual assault, or other forms of discrimination.

In January 2018, after seeking help from a womens crisis center, the woman filed for an order of protection in St. Louis Circuit Court. There was a hearing before Judge Lynne R. Perkins. The woman testified. Her co-worker refused to testify, citing the Fifth Amendment protection against self incrimination.

The judge denied the order of protection.

Not deterred, the woman filed sexual harassment allegations at work. Instead of getting the help she sought, she was suspended and forced to take a workplace violence class because she threw a beer at the man. At one point, she was given a notice that she was to be terminated. She still has her job.

Is it any wonder women dont report? she told me. The courts werent helping me. My employer came after me.

Wessling, of the Crime Victim Center, appealed Perkins refusal to issue the order of protection, and in July 2019, a three-judge panel from the Missouri Court of Appeals reversed Perkins decision.

Appellant presented sufficient testimony to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that Respondent had stalked her, Judge Sherri B. Sullivan wrote. Respondent did not contest the relevant portions of her testimony, at the hearing or on appeal, or present any evidence or argument showing his actions were justified under the law.

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Messenger: Denied order of protection by judge, woman fights for her rights and wins - STLtoday.com