Sexual abuse: an assertion and abuse of power

Allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by seemingly powerful, rich, influential men always result in controversy. Over the years, some men have gotten away with sexual abuse of women in different spheres of life including in the corporate world, politics, universities, sport and church among others.

It is an understatement to say that such cases by nature are difficult to proof, especially when they have happened over a long period of time due to lack of evidence. In many of the cases, it is always ”her word against his,” a “she said, he said” story. This is the reason some perpetrators thrive and to some extent believe that they are indispensible. But we know that sexual abuse of women by men in power happens, and is damaging women, as it happens daily in very visible ways in a wide range of settings.Some perpetrators have not been so lucky to get away though! There are several sex abuse scandals that made international headlines and brought some of the most powerful, influential, wealthy men down. One widely publicised was a sexual harassment scandal that took down Roger Ailes, the head of Fox News and a kingmaker in the Republican Party in the US. Ailes was an imposing personality. He advised right-leaning politicians, including Richard Nixon and former US president Donald Trump, and was said to employ fear tactics in running his business. In total, more than 20 women accused Ailes, and he was forced to resign from his position. He died a year later, at 77.Another is of film mogul, Harvey Weinstein, still in the US. In 2017, explosive allegations surfaced about decades of sexual harassment and misconduct by Weinstein. The claims against the longtime movie mogul soon expanded to up to 87 women within the industry, ultimately bringing down Weinstein and his company in addition to sparking movements such as #MeToo and #TimesUp. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to 23 years in prison at 70 years. Weinstein’s two companies, Miramax and The Weinstein Company, catapulted hundreds of actresses to successful careers. Who can forget the Robert Kelly saga, as well as Bill Cosby abuse cases that sparked a raw in the media when dozens of women spoke up against their sexual acts. Such cases of sexual exploitation and abuse by the powerful will still continue if nothing is done.

The challenge, however, is to change social systems in which the abuses of power arise and continue unchecked. There is need to hear those who claim to be abused by the power, and not dismiss them. Difficult and unsettling as it can be, stories of survivors galvanise change. There is also need to take on the tendencies that sustain the abuse of power, for example, lack of consideration of the victims’ feelings and emotions, as well as dispel myths that define rape narrowly and cast blame on the victims, while denying or justifying male sexual aggression against females.