Sexual harassment

Has America at last reached a turning point on sexual harassment? Watching the events of the past three weeks, one can hope. In the wake of Harvey Weinstein’s sudden and overdue expulsion from Hollywood for his serial predation, hundreds of long-silent women are calling out powerful, influential men at a remarkable clip and accusing them of sexual misconduct.

How do we ensure that progress filters down to average American workplaces, where sexual harassment occurs all the time but rarely gets media attention? The key is to foster work environments where women feel safe and men feel obliged to report sexual harassment.

This may turn out to be the year when the tide finally turned on sexual harassment. The elements for a permanent cultural shift are in place. More women have entered the work force. And, crucially, the internet and social media have opened a door to instant communication and community support that didn’t exist before.

In the end, though, the most lasting change will have to come from men, who are doing virtually all the sexual harassing. Boys must be raised to understand why that behaviour is wrong, teenagers need to be reminded of it and grown men need to pay for it until they get the message.