WASHINGTON (AP) — When Rep. Kat Cammack began work on a task force this spring to combat sexual misconduct on Capitol Hill, the Florida Republican soon heard from former staffers who wanted to share their stories.

They “came out of the woodwork” she said, and had stayed silent because it was well established that coming forward would be the end of a career they had worked so hard to achieve.

“Those were some of the hardest conversations to have,” Cammack said. “And the stories were gut-wrenching.”

This year’s spike in House Ethics Committee investigations related to sexual misconduct prompted congressional leaders to set up a working group led by Cammack and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M. What they have found is disturbing, Cammack said.

Victims are unclear about where they can go for help. They do not trust there will be repercussions for the perpetrator.…