Abusing abuse?

Quote

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.”  Abraham Lincoln

News

The flood of sex abuse allegations in the news media since the Jimmy Savile case broke last year shows little sign of abating.  Does it suggest society is getting more depraved, or are more victims finding the courage to speak up about it?  Or is it the press which is giving it more emphasis?

It would not be surprising if inappropriate sexual behaviour is increasing, on the same trajectory as the sexualisation of society.  We cannot expect men (especially) to be bombarded with erotic images in a culture preoccupied with sex, and then not struggle at times with finding a legitimate expression for what that produces.

At the same time, for the last 50 years our society has been empowering women (especially) not to accept sexual harassment.  It is quite right to insist that women and girls (as well as men and boys) are treated with respect as persons and never exploited as objects of someone else’s desires.   So it would not be surprising if victims of sexual abuse are also finding a stronger voice.

But a third current is compounding the issue: accusations of sexual abuse are becoming weapons in the media against whole institutions.  The BBC, the Roman Catholic church, and the Liberal Democratic party have all received such treatment recently.  All too quickly the wrongdoing of an individual subtly shifts to an implication that there may be a whole culture of abuse, which can taint an entire institution – and indirectly all the other people who work there.

Sexual abuse is always wrong, and managing it is also sensitive and difficult.  Just because we are overcoming our reluctance to talk about it openly, let’s be sure not to damage even more relationships through careless accusations and extrapolated guilt.

Read on

Journalist Brendan O’Neill argues that accusations of sexual impropriety have become the key currency of political and moral infighting; read his article here.   

Walk the talk

Most cases of abuse (of any kind) take place because there is a misuse of power in the relationship.  Are you vulnerable to someone taking advantage of you because they have power over you – or vice versa?  If so what might you do to bring more parity to the relationship? 

The last word

From the Bible, Mark chapter 10, verses 42-43: “Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant…”