How myths about sexual harassment keep us in the dark (opinion)

Editor’s Note: Brigid Schulte is the director of the Better Life Lab at New America and author of “Overwhelmed: Work, Love and Play When No One Has the Time.” The opinions expressed in this commentary are hers. CNN — When GOP supporters of now-confirmed Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh attempted to explain away allegations of sexual assault as harmless teenage “horseplay,” as if sexual violence is part of a rite of passage, they were choosing to believe a powerful false narrative that “boys will be boys.” Brigid Schulte Peter C. Heimberg When, two years ago Sunday, a video emerged of Donald Trump bragging that he could grab women by their private parts, those who supported him endorsed his claim that it was meaningless “locker room talk.” And when President Trump and others mocked Christine Blasey Ford and dismissed her allegations because she waited decades before going public, they, too, were buying into a powerful and uninformed myth that traumatized targets of sexual harassment and violence make prompt reports. The TV producer, writer and actor has a “no jerks” policy, which, one assumes, would cover sexual harassing behavior, and has been part of creating some of the most successful and innovative TV shows like “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation” and “The Good Place.” Narratives that rainmakers, superstars and high performers are so valuable they must be protected at all costs, regardless of bad behavior, has not only fostered toxic work environments and kept women and other targets out of power, or sidelined, but has also actually cost organizations dearly in lost productivity, morale and talent. Female-dominated, “pink collar” workplaces often operate under the myth that they are oases free from sexual harassment, when in fact, our analysis showed that’s far from the truth. A federal district court judge disagreed, writing, “That a particular workplace is considered ‘blue collar’ – whatever that is supposed to mean – does not absolve an employer of fostering a workplace hostile for female employees.” At the most fundamental level, sexual harassment is driven by the stories we tell ourselves and what we choose to believe about gender roles, about who should do what and who belongs where in our society.