EDITORIAL
The Me Too movement has spurred a global outpouring from women and some men who recount harassment and/or sexual abuse. Life in Leggings is a Caribbean-based initiative fighting various forms of violence and abuse against women. What is clear in the stories people have shared using the hashtags of these movements is that all too often victims remain silent and bottle their pain without receiving the necessary support and help. The silver lining is that these forums allow persons the opportunity to openly confront abuse and encourage those who have never broken their silence to speak up. So what’s next for the movements? How can genuine change occur?
One of the more positive aspects of social media has been its ability to link persons around the world through cultural experiences. Unfortunately, the issue of harassment, abuse or violence against women is all-too-common in their homes, work and leisure time. These stories have found a place in the #MeToo and #lifeinleggings movements. #MeToo is the brainchild of Tarana Burke, a 2006 activist group that focused on survivors of sexual violence, especially those who are women of colour. A Caribbean wide movement #lifeinleggings, started by Barbadian Ronelle King, also brought sexual harassment and violence against women to the fore, which culminated in simultaneous marches around the Caribbean last year.
Women are not the only victims. As stories have been shared, some men have revealed their own sexual abuse and harassment, and silence out of shame and embarrassment. And in many cases, abuse directed at women started at early ages, with male (and some female) predators preying on or hurting young children. Necessary, and painful, conversations have already been started in the platforms that have been created to accommodate them. Now is the time to push for more dialogue, education and training.
Recently passed Sexual Harassment legislation in Barbados can prove to be a teaching moment. As outlined by the law, sexual harassment can include: “the use of sexually suggestive words, comments, jokes, gestures or actions that annoy, alarm or abuse a person; the initiation of uninvited physical contact with a person; the initiation of unwelcome sexual advances or the requests of sexual favours from a person; asking a person intrusive questions that are of a sexual nature that pertain to that person’s private life; transmitting offensive writing or material of any kind; making offensive telephone calls to a person; or any other sexually suggestive conduct of an offensive nature. In some cases a single incident may be considered sexual harassment”.
While companies update their protocols, we would advise that education is a lifelong exercise that must make use of multiple media strategies and must start from very young. Since sexual harassment legislation was introduced, members of the public were confused as to what exactly constitutes harassment. We would do well to encourage public service educational campaigns for all ages on what is considered acceptable behaviour, especially how men and women themselves should react in various, common scenarios. And we must make clear that respecting other persons’ right to their own space and bodies is crucial, while giving critical advice on what to do or where to go if the worst happens.
There is much conversation and “grey areas” that need to be addressed to further what these movements have already started. Education, and honest dialogue, are key aspects to maintaining their impact.