Dogged by allegations of sexual harassment , San Diego Mayor Bob Filner admitted Thursday `` that I need help '' but stopped short of resigning . `` I 'm clearly doing something wrong , '' he said . Some of his longtime backers are urging Filner to step down . Among them is former city councilwoman Donna Frye -- a Democrat , like Filner , who recently worked in the mayor 's office . She said Thursday that after hearing allegations directly from several women , `` I could not not act . '' She sent Filner a letter Tuesday asking him to step down . Filner acknowledged Frye 's request in a statement Thursday and implicitly admitted there was merit to her concerns . `` I am embarrassed to admit that I have failed to fully respect the women who work for me and with me , and that at times I have intimidated them , '' he said . `` It 's a good thing that behavior that would have been tolerated in the past is being called out in this generation for what it is : inappropriate and wrong . '' No women have come forward publicly to detail allegations against Filner . He has not been charged with any crime , nor has anyone filed a lawsuit against him . Shamed politicians look for redemption . Yet Marco Gonzalez , a Southern California lawyer , told reporters Thursday he and Frye know of `` very specific acts from individuals who have worked for the mayor that they have been subjected to behavior that does not meet our community standards . '' It 's up to them to provide specifics , Gonzalez said , but even absent such public declarations , he and others felt compelled to speak out for them . `` I believe what they have told me , and they are not alone , '' Frye said . Amid the uproar , the mayor announced Thursday that he 's `` begun to work with professionals to make changes in my behavior and approach '' and that he and his staff will have sexual harassment training . Filner also promised that he 'd personally reach out and apologize to those who now or have in the past worked in his office . `` Please know that I fully understand that only I am the one that can make these changes , '' he said . Filner did not indicate he had any plans to resign . Politics is full of second chances . Earlier this week , numerous reports -- including one from CNN affiliate KSWB -- said that Filner 's fiancee , Bronwyn Ingram , had called off their engagement for unspecified reasons . The Republican Party of San Diego cheered Ingram 's move on its Facebook page , saying `` she deserves better . '' Since then , they have kept up their criticism of Filner and Democrats who , they allege , overlooked Filner 's behavior that they claim `` has been widely known ... for years . '' In her remarks Thursday , Frye said she understood that `` there will be many opportunities to turn this into a political side show or worse . '' The mayor himself can help address the crisis , and help San Diego , by stepping down , she said . `` I am asking our mayor and his closest advisers to please take this to heart , '' the councilwoman said . `` To please hear what we are saying , and to do the right thing . '' Read more : New York 's sex scandal candidates .
A longtime backer of San Diego Mayor Bob Filner urges him to resign . She says several women have outlined improper behavior by the mayor . Filner admits , `` I 'm clearly doing something wrong , '' but does n't resign . He vows to personally apologize to current and former staffers , among other steps .