Sexual Abuse and Prominent People

[The Accountant, OBE, KC]

Strong article by Heather Graham


http://variety.com/2017/film/columns/heather-graham-harvey-weinstein-sex-for-movie-role-1202586113/

In my experience, the people I've come across (men and women) who play these power games are dangerous precisely because they seem incapable of interacting with someone without it turning into some kind of win-lose scenario, which they of course plan to win using any means at their disposal. They seem to take this approach with men as well as women, looking for the weak spot to exploit in any negotiation, in order to impose their will on the other person and walk away with the best overall deal including any freebies and perks. Far too many of them have got away with it for a long time.

I think Heather Graham is right that men and women don't speak out for fear of being looked at as weak, which is not respected in industry by the people with influence, making it hard to progress. They are also scared of losing their livelihood and finding another job. But the ethics of business and industry and politics do seem to be slowly changing, whereby more people are being held accountable for the way they perform rather than just on their results.

This is an interesting piece on how Harvey Weinstein managed to get away with it for so long (threats to sue, discredit or financially threaten anyone who tried to expose him) and questions what should be done about his accomplices, as well as about confidentiality agreements in settlements that prevent people from exposing crimes.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gavin-polone-harvey-weinstein-whos-blame-accomplices-be-exposed-1049259

I had an experience in my first job (in a US bank) of being on the receiving end of sexual comments from my team leader. I had observed him using comments and his size (he was 6'6") to put down other men as well as women - all done with a grin and a swagger - testing weak spots, establishing himself as top dog. I used to retaliate by trying to put him down, and then he took it to the next level by getting a few male colleagues to film him mooning using my video camera, that I had left on my desk, while I was out of the room for a few minutes. When I saw the footage that evening at home I remember running through my possible options and the potential consequences.

[floo]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41857136

Apparently Corbyn was aware of the sexual harassment complaint made against Kelvin Hopkins, but still promoted him to the Shadow Cabinet!

[Robbie]

I feel sorry for the girl but this is what she says:-

"I'm very disillusioned because just a few months later I realised that Jeremy Corbyn promoted Kelvin Hopkins to the shadow cabinet, despite the fact that the leader's office was aware of this and they refused to act and that made me feel very powerless and isolated and alone"

I'd think that Corbyn himself wouldn't have known the details, too much going on.

[floo]

I feel sorry for the girl but this is what she says:-

"I'm very disillusioned because just a few months later I realised that Jeremy Corbyn promoted Kelvin Hopkins to the shadow cabinet, despite the fact that the leader's office was aware of this and they refused to act and that made me feel very powerless and isolated and alone"

I'd think that Corbyn himself wouldn't have known the details, too much going on.

What makes you say that?

[Robbie]

Because political party headquarters have lots of staff and are very busy; what is reported by one person to another is not necessarily shared with all. Had she gone to Jeremy Corbyn personally and reported the incident it would be a different matter.

[floo]

Because political party headquarters have lots of staff and are very busy; what is reported by one person to another is not necessarily shared with all. Had she gone to Jeremy Corbyn personally and reported the incident it would be a different matter.

You reckon? Corbyn is hardly a knight in shining armour, he has only acted now because it would look bad if he didn't given all the latest scandal, imo. He has refused comment on the issue.

[Robbie]

I tend to think the best of people until proved otherwise. He's quite right not to comment until he has investigated further.

[Walter]

Gabriella

you might want to live in fairyland , I don't . And the weak will not inherit the earth , they will contribute to the strong becoming stronger . As far as I know the thought police still have no powers.

[Shaker]

You reckon? Corbyn is hardly a knight in shining armour, he has only acted now because it would look bad if he didn't given all the latest scandal, imo. He has refused comment on the issue.

Perhaps you'd prefer someone in the Trump mould, who calls for the death penalty for someone not even yet tried.

[Aruntraveller]

Perhaps you'd prefer someone in the Trump mould, who calls for the death penalty for someone not even yet tried.

No I don't think Floo would want Trump. She prefers May the leatherette leaderene, and Theresa sure knew about it.

[floo]

Perhaps you'd prefer someone in the Trump mould, who calls for the death penalty for someone not even yet tried.

Yeh right! 

[Shaker]

Yeh right! 

Well why not? You've criticised Corbyn for refusing to comment before a full and detailed inquiry has been carried out to establish the facts as far as can be known. It's either that or Trump's approach of shooting his mouth off and the facts be damned.

[floo]

Well why not? You've criticised Corbyn for refusing to comment before a full and detailed inquiry has been carried out to establish the facts as far as can be known. It's either that or Trump's approach of shooting his mouth off and the facts be damned.

It was said yesterday, on the BBC, that Corbyn did apparently know about the allegations concerning Hopkins, but still promoted him.

[Nearly Sane]

I think the use of 'collaborator' here is wrong and unheldful but a lot of it chimes


https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2017/nov/01/westminster-sexual-assault-allegations-already-being-minimised

[Robbie]

There must be plenty of people now who are not 'prominent', ie not household names but maybe have some status locally or in their jobs, who are worried about what might come out about them. I can think of one or two from when I was a teenager who had standing in certain areas - and plenty of access to adoring young girls.

[Rhiannon]

I think the use of 'collaborator' here is wrong and unheldful but a lot of it chimes


https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2017/nov/01/westminster-sexual-assault-allegations-already-being-minimised

And it misunderstands the need of many victims to minimise what happened to them in order not to let the predator win (see G Greer on rape). Doesn’t mean they aren’t victims too, it just shows in a different way.

[Robbie]

Absolutely right Rhi!

(And Walter you said the weak will not inherit the earth, presumably a corruption of a biblical quote which is:
"The meek will inherit the earth."
Meek meaning gentle, not weak.)

[jeremyp]

Because political party headquarters have lots of staff and are very busy; what is reported by one person to another is not necessarily shared with all. Had she gone to Jeremy Corbyn personally and reported the incident it would be a different matter.

You'd think informing the leaders' office of a sexual harassment complaint against one of his MPs would be the same as informing the leader, or if not, that somebody in the office would have told him about it when he announced his intention to promote the same MP to the shadow cabinet. I think there is a certain amount of incompetence in the Labour leader's office.

[Robbie]

That would not surprise me.

[Walter]

I think the use of 'collaborator' here is wrong and unheldful but a lot of it chimes


https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2017/nov/01/westminster-sexual-assault-allegations-already-being-minimised

and now  a Radio 2 presenter hmmm

[Rhiannon]

It was said yesterday, on the BBC, that Corbyn did apparently know about the allegations concerning Hopkins, but still promoted him.

Which indeed he did.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41878689

[floo]

Which indeed he did.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41878689

I have just seen that, it doesn't do much for Corbyn's reputation.

[Shaker]

I have just seen that, it doesn't do much for Corbyn's reputation.

According to you I didn't think he had one?

[Aruntraveller]

I have just seen that, it doesn't do much for Corbyn's reputation.

And Floo why so vocal anout Corbyn but nary a word about May. She will have known about the dirty secrets her whips used to keep people in line. Or are you really as stupidly partisan as you sound.

[wigginhall]

In fact, the MP Lisa Tandy had asked May three times about the whips using sex abuse complaints to control MPs.   I think May just did one of her grimaces.