Welcome a #WeToo movement

THE EDITOR, Sir:

IAM relieved and heartened to have read your publication of the article by Yvonne Sobers on abuse of young men and what she recognises as the need for a #HimToo movement.

Indeed, I have been discussing this with friends and colleagues for some time, but in a broader context. Boys are also abused by women. We have read of proven cases, for example, in the US where boys are sexually abused by female teachers.

Those of us in the courts are aware of cases in which the younger boy is preyed on by an older female, yet he is taken to court for rape or carnal abuse and no action is taken against the girl. This continues even though the law now says that there is equal responsibility when underage boys and girls by agreement engage in sexual acts.

On another level, neglect or abuse by both or either parent can have a catastrophically damaging impact on boys, which, as they become adults, is often manifested by loss of self-esteem and abuse of others, all to the detriment of society as a whole.

And then there are the men who are falsely accused of rape, as in the recently concluded case in Spanish Town, St Catherine, where the man was found not guilty, his defence being that there was no rape but rather a consensual transactional arrangement in which there was a failed attempt by the woman to increase the agreed price after the event. When this failed, she portrayed herself as the victim and falsely accused him of rape.

‘#HIMTOO’

It is interesting that Ms Sobers refers to a #HimToo movement, signifying that it is someone on the outside who must speak up for these males. The shame and guilt that is often attached to victims of sexual and extreme physical abuse are often escalated in men of whom society demands displays of strength and who are given less latitude than women to admit that they have been taken advantage of and are themselves victims. I recognised it some four years ago in my published letter in your newspaper on January 21, 2014, when I raised the question ‘Who will speak for our boys?’.

Well, Ms Sobers is doing that now, and in the context of Jamaica, I believe that this is absolutely necessary and should be encouraged, but there should come a time when society accommodates men and boys speaking up for themselves in the same way that we now encourage women to do so. I, personally, would welcome a ‘#WeToo’ movement.

Let every voice be heard. JACQUELINE SAMUELS BROWN