Thread by @HZiauddeen

'I've known him for many years & I know he is a good person.'

Are you:
-of the gender or age group he harasses & assaults?
-in one of the subordinate positions he bullies?
-from the racial/other groups he discriminates against?
If no to all, your opinion is irrelevant.
(1/8)

But what you are doing (whether you are aware of it or not) is using your privilege to protect another privileged person and discredit a victim who is at a lower position in the power hierarchy.

What if the answer to one or more of the questions is yes?
(2/8)

Well, in that case, remember that we only ever see or know parts of people. Just because what you have heard from a victim does not fit with your experience or your idea of a person, it does not mean that it is not possible.

Basically, believe victims.
(3/8)

All of our reporting systems (including legal) are at least to some extent, power blind i.e. you may be a 19-year-old female student being harassed by your 50-year-old male professor but the reporting systems will treat you as adults who are equals.
(4/8)

It is incredibly difficult for many victims to report and reporting and investigation (if taken seriously) processes are engineered to be difficult and are often traumatic as well.
The likelihood of a non-negative final outcome is low, that of negative consequences high.
(5/8)

There are powerful narratives about the mental distress and career harm that malicious and vexatious complaints (but also deserved consequences) can cause perpetrators (with little evidence to support them), which serve the same purpose as above. To protect those in power.
(6/8)

Many victims do not report because of how traumatic the process is, the realistic expectation they will not be believed, and even if things are taken seriously, the low likelihood that action will be taken or justice dispensed.
#MeToo #BlackLivesMatter tell these stories.
(7/8)

Essentially, it is incredibly difficult for victims to come forward.
So, when they do, believe them.
No matter how nice the perpetrator has always been to you.
(8/8)