CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Nearly a dozen women have come forward to report sexual misconduct they allegedly experienced while working as lifeguards at the Chicago Park District's pools and beaches. The alleged abuse occurred over a span of 50 years.
In April, WBEZ first reported the park district was investigating its Aquatics Department regarding complaints that employees committed “sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, workplace violence, and other criminal acts” against female lifeguards.
The women spoke to WBEZ since it reported the park district was conducting an internal investigation that had been taking place for over a year.
In some cases, the misconduct allegedly targeted minors, including a 16-year-old girl who alleged that her North Side beach supervisor sexually assaulted her, according to WBEZ.
Julie Tortorich, who is now 60 but worked as a teen lifeguard with the park district in the 1970s, told WBEZ that she was cornered by a supervisor in a park office and sexually abused. She said she’s speaking out after learning about the park district’s inspector general is investigating alleged, widespread sexual misconduct against lifeguards.
“To think that it’s even going on today, after the #MeToo movement — that anyone would even think that they could get away with these things — is unheard of to me,” Tortorich said. “But I believe it’s a systemic problem.”
Another woman said she contacted WBEZ with the hope that working conditions at the park district will be “rectified for future generations, future lifeguards. … It’s a situation no one should have to go through.”
Park district officials did not respond to its request for comment, WBEZ reported.
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