Hint of modern-day Mccarthyism in outbreak of sexual harassment allegations

Without wishing to detract from the genuine instances of distress and hurt of the sexual harassment headline revelations, there is nevertheless a whiff of modern-day Mccarthyism emanating from the whole topic.

Given the seriousness of the allegations, why did the adult victims at least not notify relevant authorities then and there?

Non-adults can be excused because of lack of confidence and the moral perspective that comes from more worldly experience. For adults this is less likely to apply. And how the list grows as particularly the higher profile names appear on front pages and TV news bulletins.

There is also the free naming of alleged abusers in an unregulated process of smearing that assuredly victimises them in that sort of mob rule, lynch law manner that disgraces any decent society.

This sort of witch-hunting was condemned by a specially convened parliamentary committee whose televised Levenson Inquiry castigated such behaviour by a few tabloid newspapers.

Celebrities at the receiving end, for example actor Hugh Grant and pop singer Sir Cliff Richard, were vocal in demanding effective recognition of their media mistreatment and prevention of its recurrence.

Often the media offers the accused celebrities opportunity to respond to the allegations against them, but this still flouts the “innocent until proved guilty” principle of fair justice and panders to the whisper gossip axiom of “there is no smoke without fire, or “there must be something in it” (even though there isn’t).

The tragic consequences of this smearing is often not reported at all.

I personally know of one such person who drove his car in the wrong direction on a dual carriage way and luckily his suicide was the only fatal result.

The word “luckily” will hardly fit with the feelings of his wife and family who learned from the police of the tragic event.

IAN JOHNSTONE Forman Drive, Peterhead

The natural behaviour of humans for centuries and more has suddenly become unacceptable.

Two persons meet and find that at least one is attracted to the other and conveys that by a touch, quite innocently leading to a kiss if the response is positive. Virtually all relationships between man and woman start that way.

Now it is to be decreed that this must stop. Man must not touch woman.

Nothing is said about women who lead men on which, in my experience, is a frequent event, and accuse the men of misconduct.

R. ALDER Dalgety Bay, Fife