When the New York Times first reported on sexual harassment allegations against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein in October, it took the nation by storm. Riveting subsequent stories by Ronan Farrow in the New Yorker revealed Weinstein's extensive network of enablers. Seemingly overnight, the #MeToo movement on social media — an indicator of women's corroboration and solidarity — took off. And the "Harvey effect" quickly led to an outburst of accusations in other arenas, particularly politics and media. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), NBC "Today" show host Matt Lauer and National Public Radio's senior vice president for news Michael Oreskes, among others, have been fired or tendered resignation following harassment allegations. Seven Days spoke with Cary Brown, executive director of the Vermont Commission on Women, to discuss the effects of public shaming and appropriate steps to address sexual harassment allegations, among other topics. The VCW is a nonpartisan state commission dedicated to advancing rights and opportunities for women in Vermont.* Active for more than 50 years, it educates the public on sexual harassment in the workplace and, in 2000, published a guide for employees and employers on the topic. The VCW recently concluded research on sexual harassment legislation that has passed or been proposed in some states, including California, Illinois, New York and Texas. "We have a lot of different strategies to look at," said Brown, "which we might likely be discussing as the [legislative] session comes up." SEVEN DAYS: Are the Harvey Weinstein allegations as shocking as they appear to be? CARY BROWN: I think the #MeToo campaign is really an expression of the fact that most women are not shocked, because most women have experienced some version of this. The new part is how many women are publicly talking about what's happened to them. But, especially, the new part is how many people are believing them and taking them seriously. What will be really interesting, though, is what happens when the buzz [dies] down in the media. Will we really have any substantial cultural changes? When Anita Hill gave her testimony [against then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas], there was a lot of talk about sexual harassment at the workplace and women being believed or not believed. She was not believed by a lot of people, and that made a lot of people really angry. I think there was a lot of attention given then, but I don't know that there…
When the New York Times first reported on sexual harassment allegations against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein in October, it took the nation by storm. Riveting subsequent stories by Ronan Farrow in the New Yorker revealed Weinstein's extensive network of enablers. Seemingly overnight, the #MeToo movement on social media — an indicator of women's corroboration and solidarity — took off. And the "Harvey effect" quickly led to an outburst of accusations in other arenas, particularly politics and media. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), NBC "Today" show host Matt Lauer and National Public Radio's senior vice president for news Michael Oreskes, among others, have been fired or tendered resignation following harassment allegations. Seven Days spoke with Cary Brown, executive director of the Vermont Commission on Women, to discuss the effects of public shaming and appropriate steps to address sexual harassment allegations, among other topics. The VCW is a nonpartisan state commission dedicated to advancing rights and opportunities for women in Vermont.* Active for more than 50 years, it educates the public on sexual harassment in the workplace and, in 2000, published a guide for employees and employers on the topic. The VCW recently concluded research on sexual harassment legislation that has passed or been proposed in some states, including California, Illinois, New York and Texas. "We have a lot of different strategies to look at," said Brown, "which we might likely be discussing as the [legislative] session comes up." SEVEN DAYS: Are the Harvey Weinstein allegations as shocking as they appear to be? CARY BROWN: I think the #MeToo campaign is really an expression of the fact that most women are not shocked, because most women have experienced some version of this. The new part is how many women are publicly talking about what's happened to them. But, especially, the new part is how many people are believing them and taking them seriously. What will be really interesting, though, is what happens when the buzz [dies] down in the media. Will we really have any substantial cultural changes? When Anita Hill gave her testimony [against then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas], there was a lot of talk about sexual harassment at the workplace and women being believed or not believed. She was not believed by a lot of people, and that made a lot of people really angry. I think there was a lot of attention given then, but I don't know that there…