Gaines v. Bellino (N.J. 2002)
In Gaines v. Bellino, 173 N.J. 301, 801 A.2d 322 (2002), the plaintiff, a county corrections officer working the midnight shift, alleged that a coworker kissed her without consent and subsequently harassed her by making repeated references to the incident and threatening remarks about rape. Although the plaintiff reported the conduct to her superiors, no action was taken for nearly two years. When the warden eventually met with her, she declined to file a formal complaint due to fear of retaliation.