Society can be a double-edged sword when talk of sexual harassment arises.
You see campaign ads – like the NFL NO MORE – supporting and telling victims to speak out about sexual harassment and domestic abuse.
Yet when victims do speak up about their tragic encounter, they are often called liars and ridiculed.
Although pop singer Kesha isn’t the first to be slandered by her public statement of sexual harassment, her case is the one everyone’s watching and judging right now.
Two years ago, Kesha filed a law suit against her producer Dr. Luke. She claimed he sexually, physically, verbally and emotionally abused her for over a decade.
A section of the lawsuit discussed disturbing details like her waking up sore, naked and confused. Another incident was when he violently thrashed his arms towards her, causing her to flee.
All Kesha wanted was for the judge to break her contract with the producer so she could pursue her music career in safety.
Her wish was denied last month. She still has to work for Dr. Luke. He goes on, unharmed, with his career.
The judge’s reason for upholding the contract was because it’s “heavily negotiated and typical for the industry.”
I can’t help but question why, in our society, business is valued more than human pain and suffering.
There’s always a pattern with these situations:
-A prestigious man is caught up in mischievous activities with a woman
-The woman attempts to stand up for herself
-The woman gets called a liar and the prestigious man’s status is protected
Kesha’s case against Dr. Luke mirrors the controversial Anita Hill vs. Clarence Thomas case in the 90s. Anita Hill, a law professor, testified sexual harassment against Clarence Thomas.
Hill lost her case to Thomas due to “lack of proof.” Thomas went on to make history as the first African-American chief justice of the United States.
I’m not sure where the idea of bashing abused women comes from, or why when a woman testifies against her alleged abuser she’s bluntly called a liar.
Whatever the case may be (and God I wish I knew the answer), it sends out a harsh message to victims and an encouraging message to predators.
A predator will look at incidents like Kesha’s and Hill’s and know that society has their back, and the women who testify against them will be judged as loose and a liar.
Yes, there will be some cases – and there have been cases – where a woman lies about sexual abuse. But a few false testaments shouldn’t overshadow all the honest testaments.
As long as this message is presented, statistics of sexual harassment will increase and we will continue seeing face-value campaigns like NFL NOMORE.
Assaulted women will continue to hide their pain. The Kesha case shows just how humiliating and tough it can be for women to fight for their rights.
This has to stop.
If more people really supported and protected victims, potential predators might think twice.
For example, the NFL NO MORE campaign could include real victims that fought against their predators in court and the NFL could actually support them.
Also, society can stop treating the victim as the problem by publicly rallying behind the victim. Celebrities like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga are already taking the lead by publicly supporting Kesha.
More people should stand with victims like these celebs have stood with Kesha. Sexual harassment does happen to women, and these women need our support and protection.
