AUSTIN — After widespread allegations of sexual harassment at the Capitol, Gov. Greg Abbott says he will work with the Legislature to change its policies, The Texas Tribune reported Tuesday.

Dallas Republican Rep. Linda Koop told the Tribune that she asked Abbott to develop a protocol to address sexual harassment in the Legislature, citing "disturbing accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct."

"Many of our staff and interns are young people and may be particularly vulnerable to those in positions of power," Koop wrote. "It is our duty as elected officials to protect them; a responsibility I know we both take very seriously."

Ciara Matthews, the governor's deputy communications director, said in a prepared statement to Austin news station KXAN-TV that Abbott believes in and enforces a zero tolerance policy when it comes to sexual harassment.

“No victim should ever fear reprisal or retaliation for rejecting unwanted advances or for filing a sexual harassment complaint,” Matthews wrote. “As public servants for the people of Texas, the Governor believes that all state employees, especially and including those working in the Capitol, should hold themselves to the highest standards and treat staff and colleagues with the utmost dignity and respect.”

The announcement comes after separate investigations by The Daily Beast and the Tribune into sexual harassment and assault at the Capitol.

The Texas Tribune reported that the House and Senate's current policies only establish a reporting protocol for complaints and say that harassment will not be tolerated. Complaints in the House go to the chairman of the House Administration Committee or to the manager of the House payroll and personnel department. In the Senate, complaints go to the secretary of the Senate, the Senate Human Resources office or supervisors in individual offices.

Genevieve Cato, a former House employee who shared her story with The Daily Beast, told the Tribune that even if she knew she could have reported harassment, she would not trust the process.

Former Dallas Morning News reporter Karen Brooks also told The Daily Beast that during her 16 years covering the Legislature, she was regularly propositioned and harassed. She cited multiple examples and told a story about a Republican representative assaulting her at The Cloak Room, a bar next to the Capitol.