It’s Time to End the Epidemic of Sexual Crime by Men in Power

Ailes is dead. Weinstein is in rehab. Yet, the culture they thrived in remains intact.

Women know sexual harassment doesn’t end at Hollywood or with Harvey Weinstein. While we “hope” (and most men actually believe) we have moved past sexism and sexual assault, the reality is we have not.

In the past year, women have come forward regarding high-profile, powerful men that have violated and preyed upon women for decades: Bill Cosby, Roger Ailes, Bill O’Reilly, Donald Trump, and now, Harvey Weinstein. Many men are shocked by these revelations; women in America’s workplaces know these are just the high-profile examples of the many low-profile, unreported wrongs that happen every day across the country.

Now, through the #MeToo movement where women recount their own experiences of sexual assault and harassment, society has been forced to recognize the gravity and sheer number of instances of this occurring in our society. Some men may have thought this wasn’t as prevalent a problem, but the latest allegations coupled with many women speaking up – men have no excuse not to recognize the enormity of this situation and join in the struggle against those in power that would use their position to prey on women. It’s high time to draw their attention to the plight of what a majority of women quietly sweep under the rug, laugh off, or look the other way at on a regular basis. Society is diseased with a culture that denigrates women and enforces their silence.

Weinstein’s rape and sexual assault accusations have been discussed and celebrities have disavowed his actions the past few weeks. Some reports suggest, however, that several outlets and celebrities have known about these rumors for years and either stayed silent or looked the other way while Weinstein preyed on women.