The Weinstein Effect - What’s Next?

Matt Lauer. Kevin Spacey. Garrison Keillor. Charlie Rose. Louis CK. And the man whose name coined the current phenomenon taking place in American society, Harvey Weinstein.

Since the allegations about these men and others have come to light, there has been a renewed awareness of sexual harassment in the workplace. Dozens of women have accused these high-profile men of sexual misconduct.

Many of these men have been fired, and their contracts with their various affiliations effectively terminated. Millennial women, and all women, everywhere should be applauding the efforts of the brave women who have chosen to come forward and share their story.

Many of social critics have noted that they are unfamiliar of a world in which men have to take responsibility for their sexual misconduct and actually face real consequences, effectively calling this new phenomenon “The Weinstein Effect”. The real question is: what’s next?

I say what is next, or rather what should be next, is greater support for these victims and survivors. Every time a new allegation surfaces, there is always someone commenting on the alleged truth of the allegations. Until there is evidence to the contrary, the accused should be on trial, not the accusers.

Another name that has been in the news recently is Roy Moore, the Republican U.S. Senate candidate from Alabama, for numerous allegations about sexual abuse with minors. Obviously, these allegations are heinous and should be taken seriously.

However, many of his conservative supporters have come to his defense. One supporter even compared Moore to Joseph and Mary from the Bible, saying that there was an age gap between the pair. This supporter also stated that there “is nothing immoral or illegal here. Maybe just a little bit unusual.”

Sexual pedophilies should not be defended. Period. It is ridiculous in 2017 that this even needs to be stated.

What should happen next is for society to punish those accused of sexual misconduct in the political realm as harshly as they do in the entertainment realms.

In a democracy, citizens pride themselves on justice and morality, so if our elected leaders are acting immorally, which few sane people would not deny that Roy Moore has acted quite immorally, why should we not take action and label them as the deviants that they are?

Recently, I read an article defending the allegations of Senator Al Franken by stating that because Franken has voted in favor of measures that benefit women, he should not be asked to resign.

As a feminist, I am appalled by this response. Feminists should back all of the survivors of sexual abuse, and we should not applaud the accusers for sometimes having the backs of women while simultaneously committing sexual misconduct.

What should happen next is to continue this conversation of consent and appropriate workplace practices. What should happen next is to hold the President to the same standard as a morning television show host, as seventeen women have accused him of sexual assault and sexual harassment.

What should happen next is more safe spaces and less leeway and defending of those who choose to act immorally and violate others.