December 3, 2017
Editorials

Editorial: Sexual abuse out of the shadows

By |
Print More

Wikimedia Commons / public domain

The rash of sexual assault and harassment allegations hit home in the Bay State last week.

There is no doubt: Sexual abuse has been happening throughout human history, and will continue to happen. In large part, that’s because there will always be power inequities between people.

It’s not OK.

That’s the message these recent weeks of serial sexual misconduct claims have boiled down to. It’s simply not OK to sexually intimidate, coerce, or humiliate anyone.

This topic will inevitably die down from the headlines. But the message must last, and it can.

Unlike gun violence, immigration and many of the other issues that rise and fall in our national consciousness, sexual behavior and attitudes are under our control as individuals. We can’t blame “culture” or “politics,” or any other broad scapegoat. This is something we can change — and have been changing, gradually, for decades.

We’ve heard a lot recently about allegations of sexual misconduct involving men in the public eye: Matt Lauer; Charlie Rose; Roy Moore; Bryon Hefner, the husband of state Senate President Stanley C. Rosenberg; Louis C.K.; Harvey Weinstein; Kevin Spacey and Mark Halperin. And the list goes on. We know the problem goes far beyond the sphere of celebrity and fame into our own communities, companies, schools and homes.

The accusers are not usually in the spotlight, but for the many victims with valid claims, the pain, shame and damage to their self-esteem can be deep and lasting. Victims deserve our attention and empathy, and one great way to give it is to resolve to prevent sexual trauma from happening to others in the ways we can.

We can raise our sons and daughters to respect others and their absolute right to say no. We can be utterly indignant whenever we learn of a new instance, however many times we’ve heard this sort of thing before. We can be kind and good listeners to those harmed who are brave enough to come forward.

And we can resolve to not look the other way when someone in one of our circles crosses a line sexually. Confront them, instruct them, report them if necessary — do what is needed to guard the boundary between OK and not OK.

Where is that line? Depending on the circumstances and intent, it’s not always obvious.

Garrison Keillor’s version of the event that reportedly led to his firing — that he accidentally touched a colleague’s bare back and apologized — would not seem to merit the term “sexual abuse” in most people’s book. And unfortunately, the current rash of high-profile sexual-abuse cases has likely resulted in a rise in dubious claims as well as real ones.

Interpreting interpersonal interactions can be tricky, even when both parties are well-meaning. We ought to conduct ourselves in such a way that the question of whether a line is being crossed can’t arise; we may not always know where the line is, but we can stay well away from it. And we ought to expect others to hold themselves to the same standards.

Truly respecting every person’s dignity, privacy, uniqueness and right to peace is the easiest and best way to treat one another in all contexts.

By and large, sexual misconduct occurs behind closed doors and involves two people. But as a society, we help create the climate that allows it — or refuses to put up with it any longer. We all deserve this matter to find an atmosphere of zero tolerance.

Many young people are having trouble understanding why so many women in these recent stories — as well as male and female victims of sexual abuse who, aside from Hefner’s alleged victims, are not in the news — have been fearful and silent on this topic for so long. They say they would speak up right away, and expect appropriate consequences for their abusers.

That itself can be a sign of progress. And in the wake of the recent public, career-ending allegations and exposures, public awareness and outrage has turned a corner. More allegations coming forth almost daily is a sign that silence and sexual abuse are parting paths.

Accusations are not necessarily true, of course. Some accusers are undoubtedly using this moment for some kind of personal gain. But there is no doubt: Sexual abuse has been happening throughout human history, and will continue to happen. In large part, that’s because there will always be power inequities between people.

Behaviors that could be labeled sexual misconduct vary in their seriousness, but are by and large one thing: abuse of power. They’re never OK. At their worst they are an atrociously selfish, thoughtless, demeaning and damaging abuse of power.

People of good character don’t abuse power — behind closed doors, or otherwise. They believe in mutual respect, equality, and building a better world. They don’t have to stop themselves from sexual abuse; they would never dream of it. Fortunately, those people aren’t rare. They’re everywhere, and together slowly creating change.

32 thoughts on “Editorial: Sexual abuse out of the shadows”

  2. Just wish to say your article is as astonishing.
    The clearness in your post is simply cool and i can assume you are an expert on this subject.

    Well with your permission let me to grab your feed
    to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying
    work.

  6. We absolutely love your blog and find many of your post’s to be exactly I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content for yourself? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome web log! tỷ lệ bóng đá kèo nhà cái

  7. This is actually intriguing, You’re an exceptionally effective blogger. I’ve enrolled with your feed and furthermore , look ahead to reading your marvelous write-ups. What’s more, We have shared your internet site inside our social networks. nhà cái uy tín beer

  8. When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new surveys are added- checkbox now when a comment is added I purchase four emails using the same comment. Can there be that is it is possible to eliminate me from that service? Thanks! lich thi dau bongdalu

  10. The moment when i been given onto your web page while having factor in essence considerably touch submits. Gratifying strategy for impending, My business is bookmarking while doing so attain forms conclude springs up way up. đăng ký go99

  11. Hi there. Very nice blog!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally…I am happy to locate a lot of useful info here within the post. Thanks for sharing… pressure washing bristol

  14. Thank you so much for such valuable content! Your blog always helps me find the right information and draw the right conclusions. I especially appreciate your thoroughness and attention to detail. If you are interested in betting, I can recommend melbet sign up – a site that pleases with excellent conditions for betting, a wide selection of events and fast payouts.

  15. I was surfing net and fortunately came across this site and found very interesting stuff here. Its really fun to read. I enjoyed a lot. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information. weeklymagpro.com

  18. рожден 16 сентября кто по гороскопу знаменитости рожденные 14 ноября сонник младенец обкакался на руках, к чему снится младенец на руках чужой
    аркан солнце на заставку сонник видеть палец на ноге

  19. снилось что из груди молоко грудное текло если снится мясо индейки 27 февраля знак зодиака совместимость с другими знаками
    к чему снится убирать паутину, во сне видеть паутину на
    потолке какой сегодня лунный день в
    калининграде

  21. 31 октября знак зодиака совместимость, скорпион
    женщина лучшая совместимость если
    снится роман с учителем владислав какое имя
    решать математические примеры во сне соединение уран
    юпитер в натале, соединение юпитер –
    уран транзит

  22. к чему если приснился черный кот будущее
    наших отношений гадание онлайн
    что означают цифры в акциях
    к чему снится укрывать голову слушать молитву святой богородицы бесплатно

  24. Excellent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely wonderful.
    I actually like what you have acquired right here, certainly like what
    you are saying and the way during which you are saying it.
    You’re making it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise.
    I can’t wait to learn much more from you. That is really a terrific site.

  27. туған жылы 9, туған күні төрт 9 жк атмосфера,
    жк атмосфера-2 астана саясаттану
    презентация, саясаттану өз
    алдына жеке пән ретінде қашан қалыптасты справочник организаций петропавловск, типичный петропавловск

  28. әйел бақытты болса, әйел бақыты
    цитата тоо парковочное пространство
    астаны, парковка астана в выходные
    дни жэу достоевского 53, кск номер телефона
    ұйқы жоқ түн ортасы, тез ұйықтап қалу үшін не істеу керек

  29. Stream content effortlessly with the MOM IPTV Pack, featuring anti-buffering and anti-freeze technology and offering crystal-clear image quality in up to 4K on any device, whenever and wherever you are : MOM IPTV

  30. сауна кск костанай, сауна ковчег костанай начальник мпс тараз,
    начальник усб дп жамбылской области алаш
    бағдарламасы, алаш партиясының әлсіз жақтары адамдар мыс өңдеуді үйренген мерзім, жаңа тас дәуірі мен мыс
    тас дәуірінің басты ерекшелігі