WEP doesn't stand on the sidelines...

[arranfan]

From the newsletter. Images on WEP_UK's Twitter: twitter.com/WEP_UK/status/1055779261532028929

This morning WE activists renamed Westminster. We replaced the "W" in Westminster signage with a "P" to mark the anniversary of the sexual harassment scandal in British politics, and to highlight the lack of action from other parties.

In total, fourteen MPs were accused of sexual harassment, along with a former First Minister of Scotland, two MSPs and four unnamed officials.

In the year that followed, not one politician lost their job. Even the ones that have resigned or been suspended held onto their seats - and they continue to represent us as independents. Others have been promoted or cleared through investigations run by their own parties, while three investigations have still not concluded.

This sends a message that violence against women and girls doesn't matter. So today we sent a message to every victim of sexual harassment to say that it does. This party doesn't stand on the sidelines, we take every opportunity we can to bring about change.

I have to say that given the lack of leadership on other matters, this stood out for me:

This party doesn't stand on the sidelines, we take every opportunity we can to bring about change

Wait. Hang on, is that a sticker?

That is literal violence. Against pests.

Can somebody call the cops?

Well, they may be confused on other matters but good for them on this!

Sex pests will not feel safe now that those stickers exist in the world. More pressure on an already marginalised grope group.

Some of these sex pests will have to walk past those signs and they will feel unsafe. And as we all know, there are no 'safe places' for sex pests, apart from government, the private sector, the home, schools, universities and all public places.

Will somebody please think of the sex pests?

And can we make our language more kind please? Sex pests is unhelpful. Inadvertent boundary pushers is more inclusive and kind.

Inadvertent boundary pushers is more inclusive and kind.

Doesn't that overlook their helpful role in assisting others to self-actualise and realise where their true boundaries lie?

Determined to transgress and boldly refusing to apologise later because it fundamentally helps others to realise where there true boundaries lie, whether they acknowledge it or not.

One woman's sex pest is obviously someone else's liberator. Particularly if the transgressor or those with an interest in enabling him are the ones making the evaluation.

On another thread, someone mentioned Mary Daly - and it put me in mind of her writings about complicity in harassment because both women and men have internalised the myth that we 'fell' because of women and the role as prime movers in the creation of Original Sin.