Not speaking on the matter would only serve to embolden the harasser’s objectives
GERMANY: Only time and an impartial investigation would reveal the veracity of the allegations leveled by blogger Cynthia Ritchie. Still, the most common argument that has been put forward by ignorant people on social media is: why do victims of sexual abuse choose to come forward after several years have passed?
One of the main reasons for this is that victims often remain helpless as most perpetrators hold a position of power which they use to suppress the voices of their victims. Recent examples include those who stood up against the now-convicted Hollywood mogul, Harvey Weinstein. Various actresses came forward to share their horrific accounts that had occurred more than two decades earlier. According to The New Yorker, Harvey had hired private security units to gather information on people who tried to highlight allegations of his sexual misconduct.
Our society should encourage victims to share their narrative which already entails the risk of ruining their reputation and career. Not speaking on the matter would only serve to embolden the harasser’s objectives.
Arsalan Ahmad
Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2020.
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