Men victims of sexual harassment hysteria

IN her letter, Dr Sarah Alyn Stacey (Irish Examiner, October 27) refers to the guilty party in sexual harassment cases as “he”, indicating that she considers all such cases to be the fault of men.

Dr Stacey praises Anthea Rowan for her recent article on this subject (Irish Examiner, October 23).

Ms Rowan quoted a new study that claimed humour was “deemed the most dangerous terrain” as regards allegations of sexual harassment.

Nowhere in her article, however, did she point out that women are just as likely as men to tell sexist jokes or make sexist comments.

Even though sexual harassment cuts both ways, and men are just as likely to be victims, this is not acknowledged anywhere in Ms Rowan’s article nor Dr Stacey’s letter.

Do they really believe that women can never play the role of sexual predator, tell anti-male jokes at work, or engage in male-bashing? Do they not recognise that their own simplistic presentation of women as victims and men as perpetrators is sexist and derogatory to both genders?

The hysteria over sexual harassment has resulted in numerous ridiculous and frivolous allegations against men. Prominent US feminist and author Wendy McElroy has said: “The politically correct approach to sexual harassment means that those who claim victimhood are almost automatically believed. This presumption offers lopsided power to those who even hint at an accusation.”

Dr Stacey goes on to reassure us that “the majority of women colleagues know that the majority of men do respect them”. Perhaps Anthea Rowan and herself could now reciprocate some of this respect by acknowledging that both sexes have an equal capacity not only for virtue but also for vice.

Patrick McGinnity

Derrynoose

Keady

Co Armagh