I'm of two minds over this.
I watched Brown's agonized resignation speech early this morning, and I felt genuinely sorry for him. I don't know exactly what he is alleged to have done, or the seriousness of the alleged acts, (beyond what is in the public domain), but I didn't really feel like gloating.
Obviously, his campaign team and the Ontario Caucus were pretty convinced that something bad had taken place, because they cut the anchor lines before the media had even woken up to the story. So, attempts to blame this one particular case on #metoo or the media are, in my opinion, misdirected. That said, I think there are grounds for serious concern over a certain feeding frenzy effect that appears to be developing in general, much beyond this one case.
On the one hand, I have a wife, a daughter and many other female relatives. They should all be able to lead their lives as best they can, free of fear from idiots who can't keep their hands (or other parts) to themselves. They should never have to chose between a job, a promotion or anything else and having to let somebody grope them. I don't ever want to find out that some POS has treated them in that way.
On the other hand, sexual assault is a serious crime. Sexual harassment is perhaps less serious in terms of the scale of punishment, but it is equally ruinous. As it should be, if the accused is truly guilty. And that is my point: if they are truly guilty.
Years ago, I was a member of a group of individuals in a unit who were maliciously and falsely accused of sexual harassment. The process to deal with it was lengthy and complex, and quite frightening as it was clearly tinged with a presumption of guilt. It took at least two years before it was over. Fortunately there were no NDA or CCC charges laid, but I would never want to go through that again. And, more importantly, I don't wish it on anybody.
If we generally adhere to the idea of innocence until proven guilty beyond any reasonable doubt for other crimes, why does it seem to me that an accusation of sexual harassment carries an immediate penalty of guilt by association? One that you will probably never, ever shake off no matter what the real outcome is?
I see two very bad results arising from this. First, people who may not be guilty at all, or not guilty of an offence of the magnitude accused, will be ruined, with no legitimate chance to fight back or to restore their name. Justice will not be served by this. "Justice", as opposed to "vengeance" which IMHO is too often the meaning assigned to the word "justice".
Second, like all excessive public behaviours and practices, it risks provoking a backlash. This backlash, (no doubt exploited by the usual gang of suspects who want women barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen) will call into question all these sorts of cases and undermine those people who are truly struggling to deal with the actions of real abusers. Sort of a "cry wolf" situation, or similar to those low-lifes who fake PTSD symptoms for their own gain, thus undercutting real sufferers. Another terrible outcome.
