When brave survivors speak up about harassment, they deserve more than silence and delay. But five months after an independent investigation recommended major reforms to how Indianapolis handles misconduct allegations, city leaders still haven’t acted — and survivors are left wondering if real change will ever come.

This inaction comes after multiple women accused former top mayoral aide Thomas Cook of abusing his power, with allegations spanning years. Despite legal investigations, trust in the city’s harassment reporting system has eroded. It’s clear the current system — where HR is housed inside the same administration where the abuse occurred — isn’t working.

That’s why the city’s own outside investigators, the Fisher Phillips law firm, recommended creating two independent bodies: an Inspector General’s office to investigate serious claims and a Human Resources Board independent from the mayor’s office. These steps would send a powerful message that no official is above scrutiny.

But now, some city leaders are hesitating — citing concerns about victim privacy under Indiana’s public records laws. Survivors should never have to pick between safety and accountability. National experts, including the National Women’s Defense League, have made it clear: Independent investigations can protect victims’ confidentiality and restore public trust.

The Council must move forward with the proposed reforms and write them in a way that guarantees privacy protections for all complainants. It’s time to prove to city employees — and all residents — that Indianapolis will believe survivors, hold powerful people accountable, and fix a broken system.

We, the undersigned, call on the Indianapolis City-County Council and the Rules and Public Policy Committee to immediately pass the Fisher Phillips recommendations, establish an independent Inspector General and Human Resources Board, and enshrine victim privacy protections in all implementation plans.

Survivors have waited long enough. Indianapolis must act — not someday, but now.