It's 2015 and politicians think a 'modest' dress code for female interns will stop sexual assault

Politicians in a US state suggested implementing a 'modest' dress code for interns to prevent future cases of sexual harassment and assault, it has emerged.

The state legislature of Missouri had been brainstorming ideas to combat discrimination claims after the House Speaker was recently forced to resign over sexually suggestive text messages sent to a 19-year-old intern, and a senator resigned following two separate accusations of sexual harassment by interns.

In an email to other members of the group tasked with overhauling the internship programme, Republican Representative Nick King wrote:

We need a good, modest, conservative dress code for both the males and females... Removing one more distraction will help everyone keep their focus on legislative matters.

The idea was widely criticised on social media as putting the onus of blame on victims rather than focusing on accountability:

Democrat Senator Claire McCaskill wrote to the lawmakers who proposed the idea, when she got wind of the proposal, saying:

[It] reeks of a desire to avoid holding fully accountable those who would prey upon young women and men seeking to begin honourable careers in public service.

House Speaker Todd Richardson addressed the issue late on Tuesday, releasing a statement saying that although the idea of a conservative dress code had been floated, it will not be acted on.

...The House will not be implementing, changes to the dress code as the House already has in place a code that applies to all members, staff and interns equally.

Well thank goodness for that, what with it being 2015 and all.

More: This mother fought back against a bodyshaming dress code in the best way possible