SEXUAL HARASSMENT - WHY BELIEVE HER NOW?
Brigitte Kimichik • March 16, 2020
Sexual Harassment - Why Believe Her Now?
An edited excerpt from our book
Play Nice- Playground Rules for Respect in the Workplace:
[Chapter 4, Page 76]
The Weinstein trial in NY raised many familiar questions, including, "If she waited for years, maybe decades, to
finally tell her story, why should we believe her now? What if she is
lying to gain a few minutes of fame only to ruin the alleged perpetrator’s
career and even life?
"
For a moment, try putting yourself in her shoes.
It is tough to
disclose an embarrassing and humiliating incident that violated your
person and affected you to your core for so long. Why would you voluntarily
risk ridicule, harmful exposure, a ruined reputation, and your
career, all for a few minutes of fame? What about exposing your family,
friends, marriage, or children to the knowledge you were violated?
Would you be willing for this information to be in the public domain?
No argument, there have been situations where women have been
untruthful, but reports indicate these instances are rare.
Victims are
coming forward in an effort to finally bring the perpetrator to justice
the only way they can—in the court of public opinion. They want to
stop the perpetrator from harming others and to bring awareness to
a problem that has been plaguing them for decades.
Why should we
believe these victims? For many of them, their stories in the media have included supporting evidence, such as corroborating accounts at
the time of the incidents; similar patterns of behavior by the harasser experienced by other victims; prior settlements of similar sexual
harassment claims; and other condemning disclosures. Victims finally
have a more secure platform and the support to be courageous and
share their experiences.
This is a cleansing moment and a shocking
awakening to a severe and widespread problem across all industries.
Use recent news stories as discussion points with your colleagues, family
members, and friends.
#changetheculture #MeToo #TimesUP #harveyweinstein #respectwomenatwork #womeninbusiness #justiceforwomen
Our book Play Nice - Playground Rules for Respect in the Workplace received a 5 Star Review from Reader Views, the reviewer in part stating in part "Brigitte Gawenda Kimichik, JD and JR Tomlinson’s “Play Nice: Playground Rules for Respect in the Workplace,” is an essential guide for navigating through the complex and often disturbing landscape of sexual harassment in professional environments. It is the first book in the Sandbox series and tackles an issue that affects an alarming number of individuals. Statistics show that one in three women has experienced sexual harassment at work."
Reader Views awarded Play Smart - Playground Strategies for Success in a Male-Dominated Workplace 5 Stars, stating in part: Kimichik’s writing is empowering and practical, making this a guide that will benefit working women in any field. With over 30 years of professional experience, Kimichik provides valuable insights and strategies for women looking to advance their careers while overcoming the unique challenges of working in a male-dominated company.
Discover 'Play Nice: Playground Rules for Respect in the Workplace,' an award-winning guide that empowers and educates on fostering respect and combating sexual harassment in professional settings.