The need for proactive solutions in cutting harassment

Hollywood and Westminster signs

The press has completed a full cycle in regards to its relationship with well-known personalities. Prior to the phone hacking scandal and the host of claims surrounding evading the privacy of celebrities that came with it during the noughties, it is now those on the receiving ends of abuse who are 'turning themselves in' and exposing the alleged dark truths inside Hollywood and British politics.

When Operation Yewtree, and the fallout from it, moved away from the news agenda, many of us hoped that was the end of it. How wrong were we, the unaware public. This autumn has seen the entertainment world rattled after revelations around Harvey Weinstein's unconsented sexual activities, which opened a can of worms nobody dared to imagine. Not just Hollywood, but closer to home - for us British folk - since the expose surrounding Jared O'Mara, Labour's Sheffield Hallam MP, we cannot escape the day without hearing about new cases of inappropriate actions by those in relatively powerful positions. It is fair to say both Hollywood and Westminster are facing identical crises.

It is worth noting here that, as I write this, much of what is reported are allegations and nothing more. The justice system, to public knowledge, aren't involved and no legal charges have been pressed. It is just as important that these allegations are taken with seriousness and caution in equal measure.

I wish here not to comment about direct cases and will treat these as a collective issue. My policy, presently, is 'innocent until proven guilty' - until I see culprits of sexual violence brought to justice. Working in the media industry, I am naturally a little dubious and sceptical about these cases until they are genuinely elevated. I know how 'trial by media' works. They thrive on scandal and are willing to throw full facts out of the window so they can get their scoop and boost readership.

Bex Bailey (Image: Daily Mirror)

At the same time, we must admire anyone who publicly walks away from their demons and discuss their ordeals. I have particular admiration for Bex Bailey, a Labour activist who opened up on BBC Radio Four, prompting her Party to immediately launch an investigation involving the police force. I certainly hope other organisations can take allegations of this scale that seriously, regardless of their sector.

Sexual misconduct reports are on the rise, in 2016 it reached record levels. It's discomforting to say the least, and this isn't just because many of the alleged offenders are men my age. I choose to be ignorant because committing such act of terror is unthinkable.

That said, we are seeing rather explicit patterns which concern me somewhat. It strikes me that those on the receiving end of harassments feel the need to confess to the press over the police. 'Trial by media', so it seems, is more powerful than trial by the justice system. To me, it looks as if a toxic reputation is worse than a prison sentence. I recall during the investigations surrounding Jimmy Savile that police reportedly could have stopped him in the 1960s, yet hadn't. Those harassed are losing faith in a system that is meant to protect them. My dubious-self sees some press claims as wholly unreliable and we've seen before how this could damage the image of those who are not guilty, like Cliff Richard and Michael Barrymore.

What also concerns me is that there appears to be little solution offered in regards to cutting the number of harassment cases to zero. How do we, as society, stop people from committing this act of terror? Whatever warning signs against 'predators' are put out, aren't working. Each case has to be treated individually. In equal measure, we have a duty to protect those who faced ordeals of this kind, in addition to proactively ensuring people aren't attacking in this way. This is down, ultimately, to education and societal responsibility.

The LAD Bible on Facebook (Image: BBC News)

I mention 'education' because by law, when it comes to sex, there is such thing as 'right' and 'wrong'. It is 'right' to have consensual sex, illegal and wrong if otherwise. The law could be tougher. This may be the case judging the way that the Westminster scandal is heading. Stricter sentences and intolerance could work while not evading privacy at the same time. With that in mind, those on the receiving end of harassment could confidently report cases to the police just after the incident had taken place.

While education can play a significant part, we as responsible members of the public could do our bit too. Those in authority - CEOs, for example - have to be open and honest by offering a fear-free and empowered workforce. Responsible young men can show that the 'lad' culture isn't about objectifying women, or other men. It's about respecting one another, allowing others to thrive by their own merit rather than through intimidation. The LAD Bible website is doing extremely well on social media in using the word as a progressive term, moving away from the original meaning which made many cringe at best.

It is inevitable that more historic cases surrounding harassment in the political and entertainment industries would arise in the near future. As I mentioned a year ago, nobody is 'too powerful' to be exposed of hideous crimes like this. Those in Hollywood and Westminster are human, like you and me. No one holds such a status which enables them to get away with murder. Just because they have open red carpet access, they still follow the same laws as everyone else.