In the Globe and Mail article by Laura Stone, Employment Minister Patty Hadju urges men to speak out about workplace harassment. This comes on the heels of the Harvey Weinstein scandal about which I blogged about recently.
A couple of weeks ago, I spoke out in a blog about being sexually harassed by a best selling author on bullying, Barbara Coloroso, hoping to encourage others to do the same. Like all stories, it becomes old news in a relatively short period of time. This is the kind of story that can be kept alive for a long time, provided that people speak out. Let’s not lose this opportunity and make my story a one-time wonder. I know it is very difficult to share such personal stories; however, to put a stop to this, predators cannot help but take note. In my book, From Bully to Bull’s-Eye: Move Your Organization Out of the Line of Fire, I provide a clear pathway for bystanders to become activists.
Now we should use social media to get your stories out either anonymously, or with your name attached, that will keep the #MeToo movement alive. This is the most likely thing that will stop predators from behaving the way they do.
This is not a gender-specific or industry- specific issue, but one that is rampant throughout the entire business community at large in North America. I’ve been working in this arena for close to a decade in terms of researching and writing about it in blogs, and it really has fallen on deaf ears. I know that attempts have been made to go to the media with this, particularly the print media, who are cowards in tackling this. They claim they lack the resources. However, I know from personal experience that the print media cannot be relied upon to be neutral on this for fear of the companies who are exposed pulling their advertising dollars.
Despite the fact that my story about Barbara Coloroso was not picked up by the media, I am not personally giving up, because by me telling my story, I am encouraging others to come forward as well.
A powerful member of the advertising industry, Cindy Gallop put out a public call on FB for men and women to come forward, she received 150 emails. I am asking that you join me in a campaign asking people who have been, or are being targeted, and/or bystanders, to send us the names of companies that should be investigated. We will then send an open letter to the boards of directors of each organization, recommending that they conduct an internal investigation. We will also welcome and become a vehicle for people to tell us their stories, and we will publish them on our site.
Everyone, regardless of gender, should come forward. Almost all of what has been reported has been open secrets for years, even decades.
There has never been a more opportune moment in time for people to be heard who have been abused and harassed.
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