Attorney Calls for Change in How Montana Handles Discrimination Claims

"Following the conclusion of three Human Rights Bureau cases filed against former massage instructor Gene Watson and the Montana Academy of Salons alleging sexual discrimination and harassment, a Great Falls attorney and former state lawmaker is calling for legislative change in how the state handles discrimination cases.

Anders Blewett, who represented two of the three women who filed claims against Watson and the academy with the Human Rights Bureau, said the current avenues available to those affected by discrimination, and, especially, assault, are too few, and the state's current structure violates their right to a jury trial.

"There is a reason we don't see very many sex discrimination/assault claims in Montana," Blewett said in an email. "It's not because people aren't getting groped, it has every thing to do with the fact the deck is totally stacked against the victims."

Legal staff from the Human Rights Bureau, however, argues the process is adequate in its current form, providing access to justice for victims in its own form and creating meaningful policy change in the workplace, schools, insurance and other firms."

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