Yesterday, another two public officials resigned due to sex scandals and their resignations seem a bit backward. The first, Al Franken (D-Minn) had photos of him inappropriately touching women. He, however, denied that he’d really done anything really wrong, saying,
“I also think it gave some people the false impression that I was admitting to doing things that in fact I haven’t done. Some of the allegations against me are simply not true. Others I remember very differently.”
The second, Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) resigned after “discussing surrogacy” with some female staff members. While that doesn’t seem like actual sexual harassment or discrimination to me, he felt that in the current climate he needed to resign. And, of course, we do not know the whole story. We don’t know anyone’s whole story.
While you can’t shake a stick in Washington or Hollywood without hitting someone sleazy, sexual harassment isn’t limited to the rich and famous. And while some of the victims of Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Matt Lauer, and Louis C.K. were, themselves, pretty famous, most victims are normal humans. And normal humans have regular jobs. And normal humans with regular jobs may be feeling a bit more stressed with all this focus on sexual assault and harassment. Some may be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
To keep reading, click here: When #MeToo and Sexual Harassment Revelations Trigger PTSD at the Office, What Do You Do?
I got PTSD-like effects from being fired after reporting harassment. This is definitely an issue.
“#MeToo isn’t a competition”
Amen! If there’s one thing we (women) shouldn’t be trying to do right now, it’s one-up each other with who’s got the worst-best tale of assault/harassment. This is supposed to be about support, encouragement, and making things better.
Suzanne, you forgot the most important thing though – reviewing and revising internal policies and procedures to ensure a work environment where it’s safe, easy, and confidential to report this stuff. A climate where privacy will be ensured to the greatest extent possible, where there is immediate action/investigation, and where men can also feel safe reporting.
While this is a real problem, a mountain is being made out of a molehill, creating not only an epidemic of false reports (shielded by the law from any retaliation, however justified) but also an easy way to destroy the career of anyone who displeases you and happens to be male.
My first answer to the headline question is that the targets of these investigations should read SJWADD, which has good advice on how to protect yourself.
Right. Because I totally made it up about married men my father’s age groping and kissing me at work in my first job out of college.
This is why Rep. Frank’s resignation is related to sexual harrassment. Clear ethical violation and abuse of power:
Report: Rep. Trent Franks, who is resigning immediately, offered staffer $5 million to be his baby surrogate
Staffers were unsure whether Franks wanted a surrogacy through in vitro fertilization or sexual intercourse.
https://www.vox.com/2017/12/7/16748876/republican-trent-franks-announces-resignation-surrogacy
Yeah, that makes it a whole lot more sketchy and inappropriate. Shudder.