I changed the channel from the struggling Mizzou to CNN whilst waiting for my wife to join me in plans to watch something entertaining on Netflix. The talking heads were reviewing the latest Weinstein sex scandal allegations. Just seeing the pictures of famous women across the screen has an effect. One man with power can influence so many lives.
We saw this before when Cosby was in the news.
We've seen stories on college campuses and reports of clergy abuse.
One attorney is tuned in to the psychological trauma.
"I heard (attorney) Gloria Allred say the other day on CNN: 'Sexual harassment harms people,'" said Kendall. "And it's true. It does. Your body remembers the trauma. Your heart remembers the trauma. It changes you and makes you make decisions about life, like, I'm going to go in another direction. You don't know the harm it can do." (US News)Beyond the Film Industry
The talk about what to do in the film industry is certainly appropriate. But I see others who are keen on examining the culture of sexual harassment in the workplace. The thing is, when you're young, as were so many of these women when first approached, you don't know what to do. It's totally unexpected. You're scared and angry. You want to attack and don't know how. I know. I've been there. Emma Thompson aptly called W a bully and a predator.
Invading personal space has consequences. We naturally want to defend ourselves against intruders. Sexual intrusion deserves a strong response. A strong response necesarily arouses fight and flight action and emotion.
The other thing about harassment, the mental rape and grope kind, is it's often short of physical rape so you don't feel like you deserve the same kind of outrage that goes with those horrid reports of child sexual abuse and rape that keep popping up in the news. We know those survivors deserve a great deal of attention with vigilant efforts to protect their welfare, prevent further acts, and help survivors heal.
Some say sexual harassment is not about sex-- it is about power. I disagree. Sexual harassment is not just about power. Sexual harassment is about about both sex and power.
There is harassment of a nonsexual kind. People bully others all the time. Nonsexual harassment makes you angry too. And it can cause fear. Sexual harassment evokes disgust as well as anger. Disgust is more powerful. Disgust makes you feel dirty. It's repulsive. Sexual harassment gets to one's soul.
Weinstein is the kind of story we need to rally support to strengthen laws so that all humans are protected from sexual harassment. We have enough evidence now that women and men are victimized in high school, at college, in sports, when applying for jobs, as interns in many fields, and now of course in the film industry where beautiful people compete for limited, high paying jobs. Attractiveness attracts money and unwanted sexual advances.
So what can harassed people do?
It is not easy when you think you are alone. The CNN story provides a little more advice--there is strength in numbers. And timing is important. Employees have rights and companies have policies nowadays. It is not so clear what people can do when attacked in other venues like contractors or people seeking employment. And the problem in high schools and colleges remains unresolved.
If there is any good news, high profile people are drawing attention to the problem of sexual harassment. There are some laws. There is a glimpse of justice when the powerful lose their power positions so they can no longer harm others. And the risk of getting called out adds some external brake to those who lack inhibitions. The support for survivors is growing along with an intolerance for sexual harassment. And men who are not predators are becoming more aware of how their words and actions can be construed as sexual harassment.
I have worked in places where the lack of policy enforcement is pathetic and the lack of serious sexual harassment training was either lacking or not up to anything close to a strong, persuasive, and persistent educational effort.
Complacency is the enemy. There will always be predators who are not inhibited by the threat of embarassment, loss of employment, or prison.
- We must stay informed.
- Support survivors wherever they may be.
- Warn our youth-- make sexual harassment part of sex education.
- Speak up on company, school, church, community boards and committees.
- Read company policies and advocate for stronger ones when they are weak.
- Advocate for the most effective sexual harassment education programs available.
- Provide treatment for victims.
- Parents-be careful but not overly anxious.
Sexual harassment is everywhere:
News & Resources
Middle School and High School (CS Monitor)
This is why parents must ensure sexual harassment is part of sex education.
Sexual harassment begins early in life.
Colleges and universities (USA Today College)
Despite major news stories, the problem continues.
Check on the policy at your congregation
CT "The Law on Sexual Harassment"
A reminder to the religious.
Assault in the military (NBC) (DOD report)
This is serious.
U S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission EEOC
Facts about Sexual Harassment and Title VII
There are limitations on scope
Sexual Harassment in sports Olympic.org SI story
Just a reminder-- it happens.
What to do at work (Forbes)
Some good notes here of things to do if you are in a situation now.
Read more about the psychology of sexual harassment at this link
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