The author’s name is withheld at her request. —Ed.
One sliver of not-horrible that has resulted from Donald Trump’s words about being a “star” who can violate women without penalty: some women who have been violated are now sufficiently angry to speak. #WhyIDidntReport has emerged as an effort to support women who have been afraid to report, among other things, workplace-related assault and harassment—and to help others understand the complicated dynamics of power and intimidation at play.
I was at a professional meeting, having dinner at a convivial restaurant to honor a senior scholar. There was one man at the table I wanted to avoid. He had been backhandedly undermining my work for years. Using the buddy system, I asked a good friend to sit next to me. But when I came back from the restroom, everyone had shifted chairs, to facilitate more conversation. The only empty chair was next to this man.
