The Paradox of #metoo [View all]

The power of #metoo is its factual basis. Sexual harassment is such a widespread problem that almost all women and some men have experienced it. Finally, there is a movement that gives our lived experience credibility.

As much research has shown, false accusations of sexual assault and/or harassment are rare (on par with false accusations of other crimes). For that reason, very few people have had that experience. I was one of them. I am a 62 year old woman. Thirty years ago, when I was an assistant professor at the university where I still teach, a student made such charges against me. The circumstances were unusual. The accuser was a former student of mine. Her boyfriend was a current student. I knew he had a crush on me. I can only suppose that my accuser was jealous and out for revenge. In any case, she not only made a formal accusation to my chair, but compiled a list of all those male students I had supposedly harassed. This was complete nonsense, but she was insistent. Fortunately, my chair demonstrated more sense than 38 Democratic senators. She informed the student that she had no standing to bring charges, and that her boyfriend was the one to bring them, if there was any truth at all to what she was saying. Of course, that never happened.

I knew I was innocent, but I was tormented by my realization of how difficult it would be to prove a negative. I also knew that, if word got around, there would always be some doubt about me. In thirty years, I have shared this story with only five persons for precisely that reason. I am sharing it now because of the railroading of Senator Franken.

I am disgusted by the actions of the leaders of my party-people I had respected up until now. I urge everyone to consider that due process and the presumption of innocence are good things. Many accusers are credible, but some are not. Certainly no one should be forced out of their job on the basis of anonymous accusations. At least I knew who was accusing me and therefore could offer some coherent response.

Yes, I have experienced sexual harassment. I know it's real and widespread. That's the irony of my story and why I've felt whipsawed by the past few weeks.