Actually, sexual harassment is illegal. The cases are prosecuted in federal courts on the civil rather than criminal docket. In other words, it is illegal, but it isn’t technically considered criminal. This means the penalties tend to be monetary rather than prison time.

This issue is highly sensitive to me because I have been fired (and not hired) mutliple times for saying “no.” When the word got out that I wasn’t “docile and submissive,” I discovered there would be no future employment for me. It was made abundantly clear to me during numerous job interviews that I was being screened as much for my professional expertise as for my seductive call girl skills. We were called office wives.

In some industries ~ like entertainment ~ it seems the power brokers perceive the women on their staffs to be sexual gratification perks. . .like a corner office, a limo, and use of the corporate jet. Young, naive women from small towns are hired to service old geezers like Letterman.

None of us will really know what went on behind closed doors on the Letterman show. The only thing I know for sure is that I have absolutely no respect for the man.

Caroline

I agree on your discussion regarding Phillips, she had sex willingly with John, only after the first occurrence while she was basically blacked out (Rape). I would also agree that although not in the legal sense, incest is basically rape due to the leverage of power one person is taking over the other. I would guess that most cases of incest do not start with lets say an Uncle asking a niece “hey I was wondering if maybe you would be interested in us starting an intimate relationship” Most likely it is someone coercing the other person through a power play.

As for your views on the letterman case, I do not agree that Sexual harassment is illegal. Sexual harassment can be as little as telling an off color joke or telling a coworker how sexy they look (basically hitting on them) although sexual harassment is wrong, usually not illegal. David lettermen abused his power as a celleb, this makes him an A-hole, not a Sexual predator, not in the sense we know it today anyway. The so called victim in this case, I feel maybe should take some responsibility here. Noticed I said maybe, depending on the true details of the Letterman affair and how much he pressured this person into the relationship. In saying that, the excuse “I felt I could not say no because of who he is” to me is not an excuse and some responsibility lies on the female. Again, I do not think we have all the clear details in this case and there is a grey area we will not know or fully understand. Please realize though I am not defending letterman here, just not sure the female in the equation is really a victim or not.

I will say, overall I do agree with you that man (and on occasion women) using power to start or control a relationship is wrong, very wrong. But the other side is the “victim” needs to show strength and say no. When it is way to difficult to say no, due to threats of any kind, then it crosses legal boundaries. For example “If you want to keep your job here, you will go along” This to me is criminal. on the other hand “This could really help your career in the future” is wrong and should be against any company policy, but does not cross legal boundaries and the receiving person has the responsibility to say “NO”.

Thanks Anne for your insight well received”.

These men should be made to account for their disgusting behavior. I hope that every rotten thing comes out about Letterman and his sordid lifestyle.

He deserves nothing but, disgust!

My sense is that Ms. Birkitt is extraordinarily naive. It is curious that she’s had two relationships with men who are significantly older than she is. . .like she’s looking for a daddy to protect her.

Because the “extortion” took place shortly after the end of the relationship between Ms. Birkitt and Mr. Halderman, I’m guessing that he’s off on a misguided quest to hold Letterman accountable for abusing the power of his position and messing up Ms. Birkitt’s psyche and ability to have a healthy relationship.

It appears the other women Letterman sexually harassed are about to come forward. Before this is over, I have a strong hunch that none of the relationships were “consensual” and that we’ll learn Letterman is a serial sexual harasser. . .which. . .hopefully. . .will end his career.

Caroline

My impression of Stephanie Birkitt is that she’s an inordinately naive young woman unable to see the train wreck headed toward her career. My guess is that her ex-lover Halderman was trying to protect her. His strategy was incredibly stupid, but I think he was well-intentioned.

Thanks for leaving a comment.

Celebritylife.org tracking back – Minimizing Rape: Phillips, Letterman, and Polanski…