Gretchen Carlson speaks out about sexual harassment on '20/20'

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Friday, November 18, 2016
Gretchen Carlson speaks out about sexual harassment on '20/20'
In an exclusive TV interview, former Fox News journalist Gretchen Carlson reflects on the sexual harassment she says she's faced throughout her life.

Gretchen Carlson, the former Fox News anchor who sued former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes for sexual harassment, is giving her first TV interview since 21st Century Fox Corporation settled the lawsuit and apologized to her.

In a 20/20 special about sexual harassment in the workplace, Carlson tells ABC News she has faced sexual harassment her entire career. She says it was hard to speak out for so long because she was worried about the consequences.

"When situations like that happen to women, you fear that it's going to be your fault. You're not going to be believed. You're going to lose your job," she says. "We have to make it a safer environment."

Now, Carlson says, she's speaking out to try to bring about change in the workplace.

In the special, Carlson also gives advice for parents whose children may be asking about sexual harassment. She says you should empower your children, teach them that men and women are equal and talk about sexual harassment when the time is right.

"You know, as a parent, when the appropriate time is that your children can handle that kind of information," she says.

20/20 also speaks with Carlson's teenage daughter, who explains why she considers her mother a role model.

There are also interviews with a Wall Street trader who says he's observed a sexist atmosphere in the workplace and a former human resource executive who talks about why employees who file complaints may not always have the employer on their side.

"Crossing Lines: Women and Men at Work" airs on 20/20 Friday at 10 p.m. ET| 9 p.m. CT on ABC.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of ABC and this station.