Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Are About Power and Not About Sex

To many people think it's about "attraction" or sex when it's about power abuse. It's why the abusers pick on someone they have power over - usually job /fiancial security. Maybe they also can't stand the thought of a woman being successful.

Which, on a side rant, is why I find the Al Franken thing stupid. He was not in a position of power over the woman in the picture, he was not her employer and he wasn't a senator. He was a comedian, and a boorish idiot to participate in that picture. Am tired of seeing this grouped in with cosby, weinstein, ect.

It's about the power. About the ability to "take what they want" even if what they want is someone elses body.

Even if it feels silly complaining about a joke or some inappropriate comment at work, say. We have to teach everyone to think before they speak and also to speak up where they see or experience something that seems wrong. No one should suffer or have to quit a job just to get away from it.

I do think there are degrees of seriousness and any punishment needs to fit the crime, so to speak. For some things an apology is appropriate. For others, firing is appropriate and they SHOULD suffer career consequences.