With a new day comes new strength and new thoughts.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)

Where does one start to write about this ugly subject of sexual misconduct and harassment? If you believe what you hear and read that more than 2000 women have either been accused, maligned, abused and then again harassed…then you are also aware that this horrific behavior is not new. No matter how high or low this figure is, it is unacceptable. Even if you have doubts that this number is the right one, it is a situation which needs to be eliminated. It has taken a long time…that this ugly behavior has finally surfaced again and has come to the forefront of our awareness. Women are speaking up…and will not be ignored anymore on all levels of society. Unifying their strength cannot be overlooked. When we think that all or most industries have closed their eyes to this malaise, then you also realize that the subject has been highjacked. Not anymore. There is also no compromise!

This ugliness and feckless behavior corners not only women, as we have learned and been informed. It has touched many lives of women and men. It clearly has to do with a corrosion of values and centers on the enabling brute force of sexual predators and often overlooks the code of ethics or it is not considered at all.

When, if not now, do we look at the ugly situation? Those who are in power, those who are enabling the perpetrators and overlook this behavior are also damaging a free society.

It is an unenviable situation. The footprint of harassment has played for decades, if not longer. It is vast and touches all industries. Not one woman I have spoken to over the years has not been in an offending situation. Unwanted moves by bosses, associates , even neigbors have been ignored. Finally it is been talked about and light is being shone on this ugly behavior and the narrative is clear.

Shining a light on this dark issue and bringing it out into the open will also bring solutions. It takes courage to speak up. Sex is the ultimate form of communication and mutual discovery and has to do with trust. Forcing sexual favors is the ultimate insult! It is not a market transaction…we are talking about forced attention by predators…who mix pleasure with power. It is an ugly mixture.

We need to see the other side of the equation. It means bringing men into assisting by balancing the morale tone and in clearing this malaise. This cultural dissaray and disintegration and inaction by men is unacceptable! What is the solution? If we accept leaders condoning and perpetuating this behavior, then we have to find a reason. Leaders set a standard of behavior. Words do not expunge this ugliness. The rules of behavior need to be established and followed.

Firstly this is also a cultural problem and needs to be discussed. What gives anyone the right to force themselves on another human being? How can a society overlook this behavior? It has taken many years to bring this subject to the forefront and the secrecy of this behavior has been exposed. It takes courage to face the truth!…There was a time when women were held up to ridicule..being hysterical about the brute invasion of their body and privacy. The fear of exposure has often silenced them. The damage will be part of their lives…no matter what the gender. The shame that runs alongside this conflict will remain throughout their lives.

Shining a light on pious attacks are the moral failings of a society; it cannot be accepted! The revelations over these past weeks show that it is a deepseated problem. Here are some further thoughts to alleviate the stigma.

Men are taught at an early age to treat women with respect. Leaders of institutes and corporations need to set the standard of moral behavior. Women need courage to bring to the forefront if they are bullied or harassed. Human Resource of an institute or corporation must have the freedom to assist in solving the problems of harassment or bullying. Outside advisors on behavior of gender equality and civility need to be involved. Ignoring this ugliness will not make it go away. Men need to learn to listen and be part of the solution. It is essential to build trust between the genders.

Indeed the stakes are high, yet this society will overcome this overlooked problem and find solutions. It is essential for the health of a nation…no matter where.

“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated”

Maya Angelou (1928-2014)

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