Editorial roundup
Oct. 15
The Toronto Star
The culture of silence
By now the sordid details of Harvey Weinstein’s alleged sexual assaults on numerous actresses and models, first reported in The New York Times and The New Yorker, are well-known.
What is now the subject of much angst and analysis is how to end the culture of silence that enabled the famous producer to get away with such appalling behavior for three decades.
As it turns out, Weinstein was the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing. Even as he demeaned women he was hiding out in plain sight among rich and famous actors, producers and politicians playing the role of a liberal and — brace yourself — a feminist. …
Most disturbingly, we now know these allegations are likely only the tip of the iceberg because of the culture of silence that surrounds sexual assault.
What this story, then, is really about is a society where money and power can still buy silence and with it indemnity and, ultimately, impunity.
Not only has that old saw of the “casting couch” not changed in 2017, some might argue the working world is becoming more dangerous for women as lawyers create legal walls that the powerful can hide behind.
That must end. And a close look at how Weinstein — and others like him — create that cone of silence should help pave the way to prevent future predatory acts by the powerful. …
Further hope can be found in the fact we are now living in a world that openly and honestly debates “rape culture” and where the media, at least, are calling out sexual predators.
In Canada there is hope, too, in legislation that requires universities to establish sexual assault protocols and new judges to take training in how to handle sexual assault cases.
It also helps when famous men like Canadian actor Ryan Gosling take a stand with women and point out that Weinstein’s behaviour is not acceptable or isolated, but is “a systemic problem.”
So it is. But the tide is shifting. At last women are speaking out — and not just being heard, but being believed. That’s progress.