When actual incidents of sexual harassment and both blatant and subtle sexism occur close to home, we must have a principled response. We also find disturbing the general community response around these incidents- which has been minimal at most. Actions that may have been taken have not been acknowledged openly. Rather than pointing fingers at particular organizations, we would like to emphasize the need to address the issue of overall sexism in the movement for social justice and change.
Sexual harassment is a violent act that denies women their freedom, respect and dignity.
It is an expression of power, not of affection. Keeping incidents of sexual harassment within organizations hidden is unprincipled and objectionable. Whether or not organizations themselves take a stance against the incidents, by saying nothing openly, they allow for the actions to occur again. For the rest of us who hear about incidents but do nothing and say nothing, we also perpetuate the tolerance of sexism. We allow for sexist behavior and sexist attitudes to be continued.