By Gianna Campos
When we think of sexual assault, we tend to think of a terrible setting, such as a dark night or in a nightclub. But sexual assault happens in a lot more common settings than we realize. Sexual assault is very highly concealed, especially within big corporations.
According to the Harvard Business Review, “many organizations send the message—verbally or nonverbally—that falling into line is the safest way to hold on to our jobs and further our careers. The need for quiet submission is exaggerated by today’s difficult economy, where millions of people have lost their jobs.”
CBS is a big network, and some of their most well known shows are The Big Bang Theory, Survivor, NCIS, Criminal Minds, and Big Brother. You might not know who their former CEO is though. His name is Les Moonves, and he was recently accused of sexual assault from six different women. Their names are: Phyllis Golden-Gottlieb, Jessica Pallingston, Deborah Green, Linda Silverthorn, Deborah Kitay, and Illeana Douglas.
All of these women had said after they tried to open up about what he (Moonves) did to them, he would retaliate against them and ruin their careers.
Illeana Douglas had opened up about her experience; she said while auditioning for Queens in 1997, Moonves had called her into his office. She wanted to express how much of a team player she would be for the show but he then started to ask very personal questions and it made her very nervous. This then led to Moonves overpowering Douglas. After the incident, he told her that what happened in this meeting should stay between the two of them.
Douglas then explains how she went to her car afterwards and cried. Before this, her manager called and asked how the meeting went because “Les” had called and said the two of them had a lot of fun.
Shortly after, Douglas was fired for “poor performance during rehearsal,” which she thinks was reference to “poor performance” during their meeting.
Though it did take Douglas a long time to come out with her truth, the timing couldn’t have been better since the #MeToo movement is still so new.
When talking to a friend, Anabell Solorzano, about her thoughts regarding this scandal she said: “I totally believe the #MeToo movement had a lot to do with Illeana finding the courage to talk about what happened to her. And it’s amazing that she did, no one should have to live with that type of trauma forever.”
Anabell is right. It is amazing that Douglas shared her story. The same goes for the other five women found that same courage. Things like this always get covered up or swept under the rug because no one wants to risk their career or their shot at fame. But if we continue with this toxic mindset, we will never be able to put an end to men, like Les Moonves, who think it is okay to take without consent.
Sadly, as many know, this problem is not only held within corporations. It can also be found in schools. Going back to the idea of falling in line is the best route, I personally have felt that issue. In my freshman year, I was put into the class of a white, male teacher who was definitely not one of the best. I was failing the class when I was getting passing grades on almost every assignment. When trying to ask why this was and trying to defend myself knowing I was doing okay, it seemed this teachers attitude went from bad to worse. This then made me feel like I had to just deal with the teacher, so I did. This resulted in me having to take the class over again the next year.
Though the circumstances are very different, the same message is behind both. When all these women tried to retaliate, it resulted in them losing their jobs. When I tried to defend myself, it resulted in my teacher treating me worse and still failing me.
This unfair treatment will only go on for as long as we let it. The #MeToo movement is a great start but we can’t let this flame die out. It is up to this generation to keep pushing back until women and men are finally 100% equal.
When we think of sexual assault, we tend to think of a terrible setting, such as a dark night or in a nightclub. But sexual assault happens in a lot more common settings than we realize. Sexual assault is very highly concealed, especially within big corporations.
According to the Harvard Business Review, “many organizations send the message—verbally or nonverbally—that falling into line is the safest way to hold on to our jobs and further our careers. The need for quiet submission is exaggerated by today’s difficult economy, where millions of people have lost their jobs.”
CBS is a big network, and some of their most well known shows are The Big Bang Theory, Survivor, NCIS, Criminal Minds, and Big Brother. You might not know who their former CEO is though. His name is Les Moonves, and he was recently accused of sexual assault from six different women. Their names are: Phyllis Golden-Gottlieb, Jessica Pallingston, Deborah Green, Linda Silverthorn, Deborah Kitay, and Illeana Douglas.
All of these women had said after they tried to open up about what he (Moonves) did to them, he would retaliate against them and ruin their careers.
Illeana Douglas had opened up about her experience; she said while auditioning for Queens in 1997, Moonves had called her into his office. She wanted to express how much of a team player she would be for the show but he then started to ask very personal questions and it made her very nervous. This then led to Moonves overpowering Douglas. After the incident, he told her that what happened in this meeting should stay between the two of them.
Douglas then explains how she went to her car afterwards and cried. Before this, her manager called and asked how the meeting went because “Les” had called and said the two of them had a lot of fun.
Shortly after, Douglas was fired for “poor performance during rehearsal,” which she thinks was reference to “poor performance” during their meeting.
Though it did take Douglas a long time to come out with her truth, the timing couldn’t have been better since the #MeToo movement is still so new.
When talking to a friend, Anabell Solorzano, about her thoughts regarding this scandal she said: “I totally believe the #MeToo movement had a lot to do with Illeana finding the courage to talk about what happened to her. And it’s amazing that she did, no one should have to live with that type of trauma forever.”
Anabell is right. It is amazing that Douglas shared her story. The same goes for the other five women found that same courage. Things like this always get covered up or swept under the rug because no one wants to risk their career or their shot at fame. But if we continue with this toxic mindset, we will never be able to put an end to men, like Les Moonves, who think it is okay to take without consent.
Sadly, as many know, this problem is not only held within corporations. It can also be found in schools. Going back to the idea of falling in line is the best route, I personally have felt that issue. In my freshman year, I was put into the class of a white, male teacher who was definitely not one of the best. I was failing the class when I was getting passing grades on almost every assignment. When trying to ask why this was and trying to defend myself knowing I was doing okay, it seemed this teachers attitude went from bad to worse. This then made me feel like I had to just deal with the teacher, so I did. This resulted in me having to take the class over again the next year.
Though the circumstances are very different, the same message is behind both. When all these women tried to retaliate, it resulted in them losing their jobs. When I tried to defend myself, it resulted in my teacher treating me worse and still failing me.
This unfair treatment will only go on for as long as we let it. The #MeToo movement is a great start but we can’t let this flame die out. It is up to this generation to keep pushing back until women and men are finally 100% equal.