Laws against harassing a nursing mom?

[Mama Poot]

Do they exist? If they don't I think they should. I'm seeing so many threads lately (well, all the time but seems like a lot lately!) about moms being harassed by perfect strangers while trying to feed their children. I really think that as a nursing mom, I should be able to have the support of law enforcement when I am accosted by someone. I also think that much of the harassment would stop if laws were put in place (who wants to get arrested, right?) What do you think?

[Lovinmum]

I think you could always call the police for harassment but it probably would not do much good unless they got there quick. Any un welcomed harassment is reportable.

[Koloe]

Originally Posted by Lovinmum

I think you could always call the police for harassment but it probably would not do much good unless they got there quick. Any un welcomed harassment is reportable.

One woman tried that and the cops kicked her out of McDonald's for Trespassing.

[Mama Poot]

Originally Posted by Koloe

One woman tried that and the cops kicked her out of McDonald's for Trespassing.

That's awful. This is why we need protections. I know I'm not alone in thinking that breastfeeding harassment is just as bad as sexual harassment. I suppose someone could take the civil route and sue the harasser, but that is expensive, time consuming, and unlikely in the current climate to do any good.

[honeybunch2k8]

IA we need laws that will be ENFORCED.

[Limabean1975]

In Ontario it is covered under the Ontario Human Rights Commission. It is considered sexual harassment to interfere (verbally or physically) with a breastfeeding pair.

[mamajake]

Sexual harassment carries civil penalties usually and regardless is not enforced by police.

There are a few criminal laws relating to breastfeeding harassment but I have never heard of anyone using them and the chances of finding a police officer who knew about them is pretty remote. Section 53-34b of the Connecticut Penal Code provides: “No person may restrict or limit the right of a mother to breast-feed her child.” Violation of this law is covered by Sec. 54-195 which states that “[a]ny person who is convicted of a violation of any provision of the general statutes for which violation no penalty is expressly provided shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars.” So even with this criminal law, arrest may not even be possible with the maximum penalty being a small fine.