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

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