The topic of sexual harassment that in the recent months has become extremely “hot”, unfortunately, affected ICANN as well. A group of women that attend ICANN events addressed the management of the corporation with a letter. Examples of inappropriate behavior by men who attended the events were given in the letter. Described situations were a violation of not only ethical norms but also ICANN’s anti-harassment policy that was adopted a year ago.
Five women told their stories. One of them reported that a certain ICANN meeting attendee tried to get into her hotel room. He was so persistent that she had to barricade the door from the inside. In two other cases men at the meetings paid dubious compliments to women they didn’t know and then tried to manhandle them. One woman complained that a man didn’t let her leave a party, he stood in the doorway and refused to let her pass. Finally, another ICANN meeting attendee said that during a day coffee break an unknown man came up to her, paid her a compliment and asked whether she was married.
Authors of the letter didn’t reveal their names and the names of the men, but they made it clear that they could do so if necessary. They also pointed out that they want to draw attention to the problem, not to specific people. Domain Incite that reported the news reminds that ICANN corporation has an Ombudsman who is responsible for reviewing such complaints. However, up until the end of last year such complaints hadn’t been recorded. Then again, authors of the letter explain that Herb Weye, a man, currently holds the Ombudsman’s position while for a lot of women it is uneasy to talk to a man about harassment cases. Women who signed the letter insisted that ICANN meetings’ attendees were required to read ICANN’s anti-harassment policy and by signing it confirm that they are responsible in cases of inappropriate behavior.
