Posted June 19, 2024
“From 2016 to 2022, Zyda coerced me into multiple jobs outside of my advisor role, garnished my wages, and trafficked me for sex.” – Lu Ning
Lu Ning with the support of Taubes Law Firm is championing Asians, women, immigrants, and people who get exploited by people due to power dynamics to raise their voice and hold people accountable for their actions. Michael Zyda, an older White man, was the Founding Director of USC’s Computer Science Games Program, and a Professor of Engineering Practice in the USC Department of Computer Science. Michael Zyda should have been a professional mentor for Lu Ning, but instead has ended up taking advantage of Lu Ning based on her immigration status, gender, and ethnic background.
“In the spring of 2020, when Ning said she refused to give Zyda a massage on multiple occasions, Zyda allegedly threatened to ‘evict her onto the street’ and exposed her to “violent videos,’ which distressed her to the point of attempting suicide.’”(Daily Trojan)
“Jobst’s investigation into Zyda’s activity on social media led him to find the lawsuit in which Ning accused Zyda of trapping her in his home for more than a year, withholding her alleged salary of $5,000 a week for doing ‘translation work’ for Zyda’s gaming company, 411 Productions DTLA, and threatening to deport her to China for refusing his sexual advances. ’”(Daily Trojan)
Alex Taubes’ Law Firm is currently advocating for Lu Ning in the United States District Court of Connecticut. Lu Ning is courageously exposing Zyda’s (and perpetrators who feel they can do this under the cloak without being caught) efforts in diminishing people’s livelihoods through oppressive sexual tactics.
Attorney Taubes writes to the Court in his response to Michael Zyda’s attempt to dismiss this case,
“Mr. Zyda’s contention would allow employers across Connecticut to silence their workers whenever they believe their workers’ criticism went too far. Calling your boss a “slave driver” is now tortious? This is not the law.”
Sexual assault is a pervasive issue that affects individuals across various demographics, but one particularly troubling area is the prevalence of such misconduct within academic institutions. This post aims to shed light on the specific issue of sexual assault committed by white male professors, examining the dynamics that contribute to these incidents, the impact on people who have gotten assaulted, and the steps that can be taken to address and prevent such behavior.
Attorney Taubes writes in his memorandum to District Court of Connecticut against Zyda,
“Ms. Ning is free to complain about her working conditions, in which she was asked by a much older man to massage his feet. Ms. Ning knew it would give him an erection and declined. Ms. Ning was punished by Mr. Zyda for refusing to rub his feet and give him an erection. After she refused, he would threaten to send her to China. That’s not just roommates supporting each other.”
Sexual labor exploitation of immigrants is a grave and pervasive issue that affects vulnerable populations worldwide. This form of exploitation often involves coercion, fraud, or force, leading individuals into situations where they are sexually exploited for the benefit of traffickers or employers.
- Vulnerability of Immigrants: Immigrants, particularly those who are undocumented or have precarious legal status, are highly vulnerable to exploitation due to their lack of access to legal protection and fear of deportation. This makes them easy targets for traffickers and unscrupulous employers.
- Coercion and Deception: Many immigrants are lured into exploitative situations through false promises of legitimate employment. Once in the country, they may find themselves in debt bondage or other coercive situations where they are forced into sexual labor to repay their “debts” or to avoid harm to themselves or their families.
- Lack of Legal Protections: The lack of adequate legal protections and enforcement mechanisms in many countries contributes to the persistence of sexual labor exploitation. People often do not report their exploitation due to fear of retribution or lack of trust in authorities.
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The Power Imbalance in Academia
In academic settings, professors hold significant power over their students. This power dynamic is especially pronounced when the professor is a White male, given the intersection of race and gender privileges that can create an environment where misconduct goes unchecked. White male professors often occupy positions of authority and influence, making it challenging for people to come forward due to fear of retaliation, disbelief, or damage to their academic and professional futures.
Cases of Sexual Assault in Academia
Sexual assault in academia has been brought to light through several high-profile cases, revealing systemic issues and the power dynamics that often protect perpetrators. Here are a few notable examples:
1. The University of Rochester Case
In 2017, several faculty members and students accused Dr. T. Florian Jaeger, a prominent professor, of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. The case gained national attention and highlighted the university’s failure to address the complaints adequately, leading to a federal investigation and significant policy changes within the institution (Nature).
2. The USC Gynecologist Scandal
Dr. George Tyndall, a gynecologist at the University of Southern California, was accused by hundreds of students of sexual misconduct over several decades. The university’s mishandling of complaints and the protection afforded to Tyndall led to widespread outrage and a $215 million class-action settlement in 2018 (Nature).
3. The University of Michigan Case
In 2020, it was revealed that Dr. Robert E. Anderson, a former university physician, had sexually abused numerous students during his tenure. The university faced criticism for ignoring complaints and failing to take action, prompting an ongoing investigation and legal proceedings (Nature).
4. Florida State University
At Florida State University (FSU), multiple professors were found guilty of sexual misconduct, including incidents involving computer science faculty. One of the professors, Ross May, was accused of inappropriate behavior with students, including pressuring a student to get drunk and making a bet to have sex with another student by the end of the semester. Despite being fired from FSU, May continued teaching part-time at another university (WUSF ).
5. University of California, Santa Cruz
In a landmark settlement, the University of California Regents agreed to pay $1.15 million to a former student who accused her computer science professor of sexual assault. Luz Portillo claimed she was raped by her professor after being plied with wine to the point of intoxication. This case underscored the university’s failure to act on previous harassment complaints against the professor, highlighting systemic issues within the institution’s handling of such allegations (Courthouse News).
Attorney Taubes writes to the District Court in Connecticut in this pending case,
“When backed up by threats to deport Ms. Ning to China, Ms. Ning’s experience of sexual harassment and exploitation became oppressive labor trafficking. Connecticut law gives her the right to speak up and speak out about that. Mr. Zyda has no right under Connecticut law to silence.”
Taubes Law Firm advocates for a change in this culture of abusive intimidation towards women of color in Academia. Lu Ning, is bold, is a leader, and is an exemplar of how people have the power to demand respect.
Written by Sneha Jayaraj
