Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 23 years

[Cwenthryth]

YES!

Just announced this in the office as it flashed up on my phone. Everyone cheered.

Graphista

I think sometimes it s important to be frank.

I have a neighbour who agrees with me on nothing. One day she asked what feminism had left to do. Things like the rough sex defence, she had no idea. The handling of certain trials, no idea. Horrible conversation to have in the pub but helpful because it opened her eyes.

I think some people don’t want to believe what some men are capable of. Her interpretation of Me Too was bizarre. I told her about my experience of being harassed at work and you could see the cogs turning, she knows I wouldn’t make it up for attention. It’s sad that it ever occurs to anyone but it helps to hear it from someone they respect I guess 🤷🏻‍♀️

Some prison wardens are going to make a lot of money making his life a-bit easier in jail I think.

It's amazing, wonderful news. Part of me doesn't really think the sentence will actually be served. His type (very rich) seem to get away with everything.

Before he was charged I really thought he'd never go to prison. It's so good he's got a proper sentence.

@AutumnRose1 that level of sticking head in sand bewilders me. I mean I know it happens but still...

Dd has had similar conversations with her peers as you've had with your neighbour. I've (hopefully) raised her to be feminist, assertive and to keep herself informed. I well remember a conversation when she had a few friends over once (mixed sex group) and iirc because of a high profile rape case on tv then I mentioned the stats on rape prosecutions and convictions and their jaws dropped!

The lack of understanding of consent among the boys came up too and that terrified me! These were "nice" lads dd had been friends with since primary school they were a close group yet ALL the boys were very poorly educated on consent.

I also well remember the 1st seminar at uni on women's writing, which was almost all women students as an optional module, the lecturer started it off with a question something like "have women and girls got equality now in the Uk?" and being shocked that the younger ones (I expected them to be more insistent on such matters somehow) genuinely believed we did.,

All the mature students didn't believe this - which inc the only 3 men who were there!

Lecturer then displayed key stats on the screen on:

Educational achievement
Employment
Wages
Home ownership
And...

Rape and sexual assault prosecutions and convictions.

There was a loud audible collective gasp as even some of us older ones didn't realise quite how bad it was!

It's not discussed nearly enough with the very people who won't eg read the fwr boards here.

The people who come here are more likely to at least be interested in learning if not already quite well informed

But to effect change the people we NEED to learn this info aren't seeking it out.

Dd despairs at her generation's (they're younger than millennials not sure what they're called) ignorance of the problems with GRA etc - again I've witnessed conversations she's had with friends where I've visibly seen the "penny drop" it's very gradually getting through to a few of them but generally the ones with awkward, stringent feminist mums like me!

Why are the younger generations not learning this stuff? Not aware of it?

Out of curiosity how old is your neighbour? Would I be right in guessing under 35?

Graphista

Neighbour is a 40 year old woman.

Thing is, she even got slapped after turning down a man’s advances in the pub

I think it’s just too scary for her to see reality maybe?

We have very good discussions. We both like to be calm and quiet and see what we can learn from each other.

She also asked me “why aren’t feminists worried about things like the incident in cologne and the GRA”. When I explained we were being silenced, she looked into it and said she agreed with me.

I have t tackled this with my god daughter, who is 14. I’ll wait a bit.

It's so hard when this stuff isn't being widely publicised.

People think that means it either isn't happening or isn't serious/important which is nonsense.

Scary that neighbour is 40 and so unaware.

I'm 47 and generally speaking I find over 35's are more tuned in. Younger women especially dds generation seem to be winding human history back the way on equality issues! And not just sexism but the casual racism (especially since Brexit announced) and homophobia (even with them being very pro trans!) is also shocking

Graphista “ homophobia (even with them being very pro trans!) is also shocking”

I’d argue there’s a link between homophobia and pro trans.

Well yes I can see that point too but they don't - and it's mainly anti gay men/boys homophobia it seems to be ok to be lesbian or bi woman but that might be as they're girls themselves mainly

Hmm, I'm not sure I think increased racism is straightforward esp as related to Brexit. I watched that video on the other thread about race and it made some interesting connections.

Is it at the upper end for men convicted of more than one offence? I'd expect that might make a significant difference to the sentencing.

In the US they will often give consecutive sentences. So if you have one conviction for 20 years, and another for 30, you could serve 50 years.

The US system sounds so much better than ours.

!!??

The American justice and prison system are a travesty. Ineffective, expensive, and inhuman.

Well, Goose, I don’t know the details

I would be concerned about the cost to the taxpayers, for sure.

But a system that has delivered this sentence, I’m interested in how it all works.