In light of the recent Harvey Weinstein sexual misconduct stories, some people still cannot realize that it is not the victim’s fault. Designer, Donna Karan, does not. Yes, she believes that if you wear certain kinds of clothing and act in a particular manner, you are to blame if you get sexually harassed or assaulted. Victim-blaming needs to stop. Someone’s dress and actions do not equal consent, and they do not give another person the right to harass or assault them.
Instead of empathizing with Harvey Weinstein’s victims, Karan chose to defend Harvey and point the finger at the women who came forward. Her mindset is hugely problematic in both genders, but it is especially problematic in women. Women are more likely to experience sexual misconduct in their lifetimes, and rather than offer support to female victims we turn our back on them. Karan’s victim-blaming is a perfect example of a woman who hates other women because she has refused to acknowledge the trauma Weinstein’s victims have experienced. She instead chooses to perpetuate patriarchal ideas about sexual misconduct where people trust a man’s word over a woman’s word. Her mindset leaves women afraid to come forward because they are worried that the authorities and their families may not believe them. It is 2017, and we still have not figured out that we need to help victims of sexual misconduct. None of these women ever asked for sexual misconduct to happen to them, and shame on you Donna Karan for perpetuating such as mindset.
Victims of sexual misconduct should be supported and most importantly they should be believed. If someone comes to you saying that they have been sexually harassed or sexually assaulted, they are most likely telling the truth. If we start supporting victims of sexual misconduct, maybe the victims will feel more confident about reporting, and perhaps our society will realize that sexual misconduct is never okay. It does not matter if she is wearing a short dress, red lipstick, or is being flirtatious she has given consent. When people engage in victim-blaming, they are telling the victim that sexual misconduct is routine and expected. The narrative should be changed to say that sexual misconduct is never okay and that people should take it seriously.
I advise everyone to boycott Donna Karan’s fashions because you should refuse to support a woman who actively tears other women down and invalidates the trauma they have experienced. We need to demonstrate that Harvey Weinstein’s and others’ behavior is inappropriate and that all the money and power in the world does not make it less so. Women do not ask to be sexually harassed or assaulted—let’s make this mindset more prevalent.
