Sexual harassment

What do we do about sexual harassment?

If you're Ariana Grande, the press will out the harasser for you:

I don't know about you but I can see on the lassie's face she's not happy but she's in a kinda awkward situation. Did this old man not realise what he was doing? Did he think a young woman - very young - would appreciate his attention? 

I suspect that happens in a lot of cases of sexual harassment. In fact, no. I know that happens in a lot of cases. 

It may seem unfair but we rely on other people to out the harassers. 

Women in the media have a responsibility: 

Cathy Newman of C4 News admits (or claims, depending which side you are on) she was harassed at the posh 6th year private school she attended. She didn't report it. The police are now investigating because the school, Charterhouse, has reported it to them. Cathy is now in a position of power. She needs to step up - but will she? 

Women in politics are also people we should be able to rely on. For heaven's sake, if they can't out the harassers, who can? 

This is Monica Lennon, MSP. Monica was sexually harassed in 2013 by a Labour politician. She didn't report it and still hasn't come clean about who it was. I have to ask why not? What's she waiting for? 

I don't think either case is acceptable. 

A position in public life - not to mention a salary - comes with responsibilities. Or it should. Being a woman in public life, like it or on not, involves extra responsibility. One of the saddest things I ever heard was from a tutor who told my university class: women are their own and each others' worst enemies. I suspect she was right then - almost 50 years ago - and would be right now.

So it's time for a rethink: women won't get on any better in careers or in life by letting the boys and the men grope them or by keeping quiet when they do. It takes nerve to stand up and be counted and we know that even in the 21st century men in many situations hold the positions of power. But women are not getting anywhere by keeping quiet. Time to make a fuss. Be heard.

And one last question: if we know what the threat is and who poses it (and that goes as much for the safety of children and vulnerable adults as for women), why don't we do something about it?