Activision-Blizzard is facing a lawsuit over pervasive sexual harassment in the company as well as sexism, inequality and what the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing described as "frat boy culture". After the company's official response discredited the testimonials of several employees who were the victims of harassment, a walkout is being organized in protest.
After news of the lawsuit - the product of a two-year investigation - spread, Activision Blizzard executive vice president, who was also former homeland security advisor under George W. Bush, Fran Townsend, called the lawsuit "distorted and untrue" and the stories within "out of context" and in some cases a decade old.
Not only did Townsend's statement reveal that sexual harassment has been a problem at the company for over ten years (surprising nobody), it also unilaterally seeks to invalidate the experiences of several Activision-Blizzard employees who have suffered from harassment and discrimination on a constant basis. Since the lawsuit was filed, additional employees both current and former have sought out the DFEH to add their testimonials.