The organization had received anonymous complaints by email.
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators told Buzzfeed earlier this week that after the invastigation they felt that he should be expelled from the society.
Lin Oliver, executive director of the society had the following to say to Buzzfeed:
“After we investigated, we felt that terminating his membership was the proper course of action. We have always been really sensitive to sexual harassment issues and have a zero tolerance policy, but clearly our policies haven’t prevented violations, so we’re taking this opportunity to take another look at our guidelines.”
He also said that he was harassed by the society for close to 10 years.
“It’s very scary when you know people are just not going to believe you once you open your mouth. I feel very conflicted about it just because of what’s going on in the culture and who’s supposed to be believed and who’s not.
I understand the predicament they’re in with everything going on and to want to protect themselves. I love the organization, but they didn’t decide to push me out. It was my decision, even though Oliver said the email contained nothing that their organization should have anything to do with.”
