Speaking truth in a world that silences women

[guillaumeb]

From the article:

LIARS.
That's the White House "position" on the 12 women who have come forward with allegations of sexual assault against Donald Trump.........

Despite all this, a familiar criticism is being heard about #MeToo--that all these stories won't do anything constructive.......

FIRST, IT was important for women to simply break the silence--because silence has played a leading role in the story of sexual abuse and harassment, not just on the part of serial offenders like Weinstein, but in a systemic way that affects a broad layer of women

To read more:

https://socialistworker.org/2017/11/01/speaking-truth-in-a-world-that-silences-women

Edited to add: Speaking as a son, as a husband, as a brother, as a father, as a human being, we must support and work with women as they confront this.

[angstlessk]

1. Can sexual assault also be claimed when one is shut out of a promotion

because you are a woman?

[guillaumeb]

2. An interesting question.

If the denial could be tied to a specific act, or acts, of harassment, perhaps that could be the basis for a complaint.

[angstlessk]

5. No acts of harassment, just a reason not to promote.

Being a woman in the workforce in the 80's and 90's was a no go for women...

[guillaumeb]

6. The EEOC has a process for claims of discrimination.

Obviously not an option for claims from that long ago, but you raise a very important question. How were careers affected by this behavior? How many women literally quit their jobs because of harassment?

[angstlessk]

7. I worked in the oil industry....very male oriented.

What can I say? I can only toot my horn, but I was certainly eligible for many jobs that only men could have back then.

[guillaumeb]

8. And if you were denied the job, and a promotion,

that affected your self-worth, your career path, and possibly your earning capacity. What is the socio-economic cost of discrimination?

[angstlessk]

12. I remember as a 16 year old hearing that women were paid less than men

I thought we should pay less for rent and food......never occurred to me we should be paid same as men.

My mother was a bank teller who trained men to become her boss!

[DURHAM D]

10. Just a reminder - Clarence Thomas was head of the EEOC

from 1982 - 1990. eow - It is often not a functioning agency.

[guillaumeb]

11. True, and I was representing people at that time.

EEOC claims are very difficult to sustain.

[bluepen]

9. No.

Someone might have a discrimination case, but not assault.

Justice Dept definition: Sexual assault is any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. Falling under the definition of sexual assault are sexual activities as forced sexual intercourse, forcible sodomy, child molestation, incest, fondling, and attempted rape.

More from FindLaw: http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/sexual-assault-overview.html

Definition

Specific laws vary by state, but sexual assault generally refers to any crime in which the offender subjects the victim to sexual touching that is unwanted and offensive. These crimes can range from sexual groping or assault/battery, to attempted rape. All states prohibit sexual assault, but the exact definitions of the crimes that fall within the category of sexual assault differ from state to state. The laws share some basic elements, but the structures, wording and scope of sexual assault offenses vary considerably, so always check your local statutes for specific questions.

Proving Sexual Assault Charges

In general, sexual assault is involuntary sexual contact that occurs through the actor's use of force, coercion or the victim's incapacitation. The law will consider the victim incapacitated if he or she did not have the mental ability to understand the nature of the sexual acts, or if the victim was physically incapable of indicating their unwillingness to participate in the sexual conduct. Common examples of these charges may arise from the use of alcohol or date rape drugs, both of which can make it impossible for a victim to legally consent to sexual conduct.

Modern sexual assault laws cover nonconsensual sexual contact that occurs between any sex and between people of any age. For example, most sexual assault laws cover involuntary sexual contact occurring between two men, two women or two children, etc., not just an adult man and woman.

[angstlessk]

13. True, I was never sexually assaulted, but discriminated against because of my sex

[guillaumeb]

4. According to Sanders-Huckabee,

all of Trump's many accusers are liars.