Quick Hits: Sexual Assault

Over the past several weeks, one famous person after another has been accused of sexual misconduct.  From Hollywood to Alabama, from Washington, DC to New York, there have been countless stories of women (and, in a few circumstances, men) being groped, raped, flashed and pressured to engage in sexual shenanigans.  Some of the accused weren't all that surprising (I mean, didn't everyone already know that Charlie Rose was a dirty old man?) while others were more shocking.  From the #metoo campaign to the onslaught of recent allegations that have ensnared politicians, comedians, actors, and corporate executive, it's been nearly impossible to turn on the TV or go on social media and not be hit with more examples of men behaving badly.  From all of this, I think there are a few lessons that we need to grasp:

• This is an issue that crosses political boundaries and industries.  If we've learned nothing from this issue, it's not a "liberal thing" or a "conservative" thing.  There have been people on both sides of the political spectrum that appear to be guilty.  It's not a political issue.  It's a personal issue.  Those who would make it a political issue (like some Republicans are doing with regard to the Senate election in Alabama), are disgusting, vile individuals.
• Guys, we need to knock it off.  I don't care what your profession or role is - politician, corporate executive, plain old supervisor.  Do not force yourself on others.  Do not grope them.  Do not make sexual advances toward them.  Do not expose yourself to them.  Treat them not as a female or a sex object.  Treat them as a fellow person, a fellow professional.  Just because they wear skirts and heels - you shouldn't treat them any differently than if they wear slacks and wing tips.
• Ladies, you need to speak up. If this happens to you, don't suffer in silence for weeks or months or years.  Tell someone.  Blow the whistle.  Take a stand so that it stops happening to you and he doesn't do it to someone else later on.  If he's doing it to you, he's probably doing it to someone else, too.  Be strong and call him on it.  The sooner you do, the sooner it can be addressed.  I can't imagine how difficult it will be but you need to do it - for yourself and for others who may not be strong enough to take that stand.

Hopefully, as more and more people grasp the extent of this problem, men and women alike can take action to prevent future occurrences of these kinds of assaults.  If we all heed these lessons, we can begin changing lives and making our workplaces and our world a little bit better place for everyone.