I’m burnt out on apologies. I want actions.
Sexual harassment is not just a VC or tech industry problem. It hits many industries just the same. The crux of the issue is cultural and deep.
As a society, we consider the potential harm to a man from sexual harassment allegations as doing greater damage than the damage of his behaviour towards victims. No one wants to be near an allegation, or someone who makes allegations. So the behaviour is often allowed to continue uninterrupted. Too many of us sit in the middle knowing it’s wrong but not wanting to take what we consider to be ‘extreme’ action to stop someone behaving like this.
Maybe that’s why the perpetrators always seemed shocked that they’ve done something wrong when it finally comes out in a landslide of allegations? People around them saw the way they were behaving and didn’t call it out.
Stop creeping.
Call it out. Don’t wait until it becomes a career-ending problem. Yes, it might be awkward. But sexual harassment allegations are way more awkward.
If you see someone creeping, tell them to stop. If you think someone *may* be creeping, tell them you think they may be crossing the line. If you yourself are creeping, stop it ffs (and apologise).
If someone is being a creep to you, tell them/ someone. Ask for help. (nb I’m saying this as someone who hasn’t acted on bad behaviour towards myself previously).
I don’t want to minimise any of this. I know it’s a serious issue. But I think it’s much easier to contribute to the solution that most people think.
What else can we do to fix this? I’m open to ideas.
