#MeToo, We Have a Problem

By Calvin Hill

Here we go again. Can we please begin to think about dispensing with the hand-wringing coverage of decades old allegations of sexual assault with changing stories from the victims and witnesses, dueling reporters having varied accounts, and unfortunately, partisan political interests? This time it’s against Joe Biden, running for President. Last time it was against Brett Kavanaugh, nominated for the US Supreme Court. More than two decades ago it was Bill Clinton and Clarence Thomas. Here’s an idea. While multitudes are locked down, sequestered and sheltered in place, America needs to binge watch a couple of seasons of Law & Order:SVU. After a few dozen hours of watching Detective Olivia Benson, maybe those who have been victimized will finally understand the need to go to the police. It may take longer than a television hour to achieve justice, but it will probably not take 27 years to get to the truth.

If you are that friend, relative, confidant or co-worker who has listened to someone recount their experience of being sexually assaulted, you need to encourage, and insist, they go to the police and file a report. It is the job of law enforcement to investigate such assaults, in real time, to get to the truth – not a cascade of reporters who were still navigating K through 12 when the assault occurred.

Recently, a female journalist claimed Donald Trump raped her in a dressing room at Bergdorf’s in New York. At the time, she claimed she told two friends. One encouraged her to go to the police. The other told her Trump had too many lawyers and he would basically make her life hell. Had the woman gone to the police, the truth may have been uncovered. Maybe a witness actually saw Trump push her into the dressing room as she alleges. We don’t know. That’s what investigations are for. Maybe a pattern of assaults might be uncovered, or, a pattern of false accusations. We don’t know. Or maybe, as Detective Benson might opine, the suspect could be stopped from doing it to somebody else – and know that they are not immune from judicial scrutiny.

The names have not been changed to protect their innocence, or confirm their guilt. Roger Ailes, Bill Cosby, Charlie Rose, Mark Halperin, Matt Lauer, Al Franken, Kevin Spacey, Louis CK, Harvey Weinstein, Bill O’Reilly and Dr. Richard Strauss are a few of the more recent names accused of sexual assault and/or harassment. Weinstein and Cosby are now convicted felons as a result of police investigations and prosecutions. Ailes and O’Reilly are alleged to have walked off with lighter bank accounts and many of the others now wallow in shame having shortened their professional careers. Though seeing those who have been ousted from the fortune and glory of well paid occupations may appear satisfactory, it is little consolation for all those whose forays into those particular professions were waylaid because they refused to succumb to the sexual demands and pleasures of their superiors.

There are countless victims of sexual harassment and assault who now work in disciplines that were not their preferred occupations. We can only imagine how many lives might be different had there been a call to the police. Talking to reporters 20, 25, and 30 years later about your experiences only promises severe scrutiny, welcomes inconsistencies and guarantees exposing unintentional lapses in memories. Immediately shining a glaring light on the abuse affords a much better opportunity of achieving the truth, as well as justice. An immediate investigation may fairly exonerate or implicate the accused as well as the accuser. It was the inconsistencies, in real time, of the accusations that led to the exoneration of the Duke Lacrosse Team. Victims must also accept that extortion attempts are real and such accusations can hamper their truth. Absent that, they must soldier on and expose those predators to the consequences of their illegal actions.

Women are encouraged to leave their physically abusive partners. Some obtain restraining orders. Hospitals and schools are mandated to report suspected child abuse to authorities. In some states it is now mandatory for hospitals to report suspicions of domestic violence regardless of protestations of the victim(s) or their refusal to press charges. In some of those cases, the victim does not even have to press charges or testify if there is evidence or witnesses to corroborate the abuse before a jury.

It was somewhat surprising that highly respected persons in the news business used their positions of notoriety and respectability to prey on their subordinates and other co-workers. Less surprising in the entertainment industry where the casting couch never really went away. Not surprising was the deliberate sexualized culture propagated by Roger Ailes at Fox News Channel (FNC). It was a red flag with blaring sirens. Ailes played to an older patriarchal culture by having women wear clothing that clearly hugged their figure and trained cameras to reveal their legs – things having nothing to do with their talent or competence.

However, some feel that getting a foot in the door requires personal and/or integrous sacrifices that, hopefully, are not too demeaning. But it seemed pretty clear that in the culture Ailes created at FNC, sexualizing the women was a high priority. And for all the women who no longer have to tolerate the abuse and harassment of being the sexual playthings of your bosses, thank Gretchen Carlson for sticking her neck out and being the Curt Flood of the modern day #MeToo movement.

I think highlighting due process in navigating decades old sex charges in newspapers and political venues is a hollow goal in an attempt to achieve legitimacy. Wagons get circled, careers are both threatened and protected while a tug-of-war over the truth becomes wrought with character assassination.

Consider the many children who had to suffer the abuse of Jerry Sandusky before he went to jail. In their attempt to protect the reputation of Penn State University, the athletic department, and football coach Joe Paterno, they have left a long lasting stain on their legacies. Perhaps Ohio State’s Dr. Richard Strauss should have suffered the same fate as Sandusky and wrestling coach Jim Jordan endured the same fate as Paterno.

These breaking news reports of 25 year-old assaults on established reputations become “whose truth is it anyway” exercises in futility. Decades ago the US Navy engaged in a gathering of debauchery called Tailhook. The brass turned a blind eye. To this day the military refuses to sanction civilian review and law engagement. The #MeToo movement and the public at large, who disdain the illegal practice of sexual assaults must encourage its exposure in real time. And for those who are victimized, have that trusted person you confide in take you to file a police report before they become golden girls. Then thank them for being a friend.