Committee chosen to prevent sexual harassment in judicial branch

ATLANTA — As head of Georgia’s judiciary, Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold D. Melton announced he has established an “Ad Hoc Committee to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Judicial Branch of Government.”

The committee is charged with gathering research, examining and evaluating best practices, and encouraging all classes of Georgia courts and court councils to establish policies to prevent sexual harassment. Such polices are expected to address training for judges and employees on sexual harassment and other work place harassment that is prohibited by law, and establish procedures for recognizing harassment and responding to complaints.

Justice Sarah H. Warren has been appointed chairwoman of the committee. Other members include:

— Georgia Court of Appeals Judge Carla McMillian;

— Alcovy Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr.;

— DeKalb County State Court Judge Dax E. Lopez;

— Rockdale Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court Judge Maureen E. Wood;

— Treutlen County Probate Court Judge T.J. Hudson;

— Cobb County Magistrate Court Chief Judge Joyette Holmes;

— Stockbridge Municipal Court Judge Matthew McCord.

The committee is due to present its findings and recommendations to the full judicial council, which is chaired by Melton, no later than Dec. 31.

The national Conference of Chief Justices recently adopted a resolution “In Support of Commitment to Awareness and Training on Workplace Harassment in the Judicial Branch.” Last month, Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order entitled “Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Executive Branch of Government.”

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