What happens to men who have caused harm to women?
None of this is any surprise. Donald Trump has been found guilty in a civil court of sexual misconduct, and was subsequently returned to the White House by voters. The longstanding myth that being accused of (or even found to have committed) sexual harassment ruins your career and life forever is being publicly and repeatedly debunked. This is a reminder that the people who subject others to sexual harassment or perpetrate sexual assault are often normal people embedded in and atop the fabric of our society, not outcast from it.
So, what do we actually want from men who have been found to have caused harm? Is it punishment, rehabilitation, or both? How do we measure what level of social ostracism it would take for them to not harm again? Should victim satisfaction or future behaviour be the focal point of these reflections?
Power and entitlement are the bedrock of all forms of sexual harassment and assault. Powerful people have access to subordinates and have seen institutions or circles they are part of routinely protect their own kind, while silencing victims. This creates a sense of legal and reputational immunity (one that is often proven correct), and contributes to levels of entitlement that manifest as their prerogative to the bodies of others.
One of the criminal justice system's greatest failings in addressing sexual harm is its all-or-nothing approach – unable to reckon with the complexity of human experience and interpersonal harm. The criminal system was designed by men, for men, when sexual harm was an act of 'damaging' another man's 'property'. We still lack a socially acceptable form of accountability outside the criminal system, a system many victims avoid, not just because of its traumatising process or the slim chance of a conviction, but because many do not want their perpetrators jailed, especially when they are friends, mentors or colleagues.
The problem here is that each victim will have their own threshold for what constitutes justice.
Loading
Some perpetrators face social consequences for their actions – terminated or forced resignations from positions, exclusion from parties, or reputational damage – but when you're close to the harm, it feels irrelevant compared with the gravity of consequences for the victim.
Both things can be true: accountability can exist in public form (generally, men fear this), and yet this can feel painfully insufficient to those who bore the impact (generally, women resent this). However, it must not be forgotten that the question of accountability is only being explored at all because Heydon was found by a High Court inquiry to have committed the actions he was accused of. I wonder whether, had the standard of proof in this inquiry been 'beyond reasonable doubt', the women who spoke up would be branded as 'attention-seeking liars'. The reality was the same, regardless, but the finding is what has shaped the public narrative.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
4 hours ago
- Sky News AU
‘She could afford a chauffeur': Emma Watson receives six-month driving ban for speeding
Sky News contributor Louise Roberts discusses Emma Watson's six-month driving ban for speeding in the UK. 'Well, she didn't turn up in court, so it was a five-minute hearing, and the fine was the equivalent of just over $2000 Australian,' Ms Roberts told Sky News host Caroline Di Russo. 'She was about 12 kilometres over the limit, I believe, and that's what sort of sealed her fate. 'A driving ban for six months, I mean, she could probably afford a chauffeur, so it won't impact her too much.'
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Respect never cost anything': PM defends China outcome
Anthony Albanese has hit back at the coalition over claims of "indulgence" during his China trip, saying his rivals don't understand the importance of respect in diplomacy. The prime minister's itinerary has included retracing the steps of Gough Whitlam on the Great Wall of China and a panda research centre in the southwestern city of Chengdu as his visit nears the end. Back home, the optics of visiting popular tourist sites attracted sniping from the opposition. Coalition frontbencher James Paterson suggested the prime minister was enjoying himself too much. "I do wonder whether a Gough Whitlam history tour on the Great Wall of China, whether a visit to Chengdu to pose with some pandas, and whether a hit of tennis is strictly necessary as part of a six-day visit to China, when there is so much else at stake in our other international relationships around the world," he told Sky News on Thursday. "And frankly, I have to say that some of this is starting to look a little bit indulgent." Mr Albanese has himself been eager to draw links between his tour and those of former Labor prime ministers Whitlam and Bob Hawke, who also visited the giant pandas in 1986. What those and his visits achieved was building respect between Australia and China, which would in turn result in better economic and diplomatic outcomes, he said. "Those pictures go to 27 million people, potentially, in Australia. They go to over a billion people in China," Mr Albanese told reporters in Chengdu. "And those billion people represent people who are increasingly rising up the income ladder and are potential tourists and therefore job creators in Australia. "If James Patterson doesn't understand that, then he doesn't understand much. "The Great Wall of China symbolises the extraordinary history and culture here in China, and showing a bit of respect to people never cost anything. You know what it does, it gives you a reward." Mr Albanese's trip has been shorter on concrete outcomes than in previous years, when his resumption of dialogue with China saw $20 billion worth of Chinese trade sanctions lifted from Australian exports. But the welcome has been warmer and coverage from Chinese state media more effusive than at any time since before the breakdown in Sino-Australian relations in 2020. A few agreements to boost trade and tourism links have been reached. But the increased dialogue and co-operation in areas from green steel to medical technology were part of a gradual improvement in relations that would advance Australia's national interests, Mr Albanese said. "You don't go from a position of where we were into absolute agreement on everything. That's not the goal." Despite the improving mood, China and Australia still have many issues they disagree on. In meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Mr Albanese raised concerns over China not providing advance notice of naval live-fire drills off Australia that forced commercial flights to divert. Meanwhile, Mr Li has voiced his dismay over Australia's stringent restrictions on foreign investment from China, imploring the Australian government not to treat Chinese firms unfairly. "We have different political systems, but it has been constructive and has been an important step in the developing of our relationship," Mr Albanese said. Anthony Albanese has hit back at the coalition over claims of "indulgence" during his China trip, saying his rivals don't understand the importance of respect in diplomacy. The prime minister's itinerary has included retracing the steps of Gough Whitlam on the Great Wall of China and a panda research centre in the southwestern city of Chengdu as his visit nears the end. Back home, the optics of visiting popular tourist sites attracted sniping from the opposition. Coalition frontbencher James Paterson suggested the prime minister was enjoying himself too much. "I do wonder whether a Gough Whitlam history tour on the Great Wall of China, whether a visit to Chengdu to pose with some pandas, and whether a hit of tennis is strictly necessary as part of a six-day visit to China, when there is so much else at stake in our other international relationships around the world," he told Sky News on Thursday. "And frankly, I have to say that some of this is starting to look a little bit indulgent." Mr Albanese has himself been eager to draw links between his tour and those of former Labor prime ministers Whitlam and Bob Hawke, who also visited the giant pandas in 1986. What those and his visits achieved was building respect between Australia and China, which would in turn result in better economic and diplomatic outcomes, he said. "Those pictures go to 27 million people, potentially, in Australia. They go to over a billion people in China," Mr Albanese told reporters in Chengdu. "And those billion people represent people who are increasingly rising up the income ladder and are potential tourists and therefore job creators in Australia. "If James Patterson doesn't understand that, then he doesn't understand much. "The Great Wall of China symbolises the extraordinary history and culture here in China, and showing a bit of respect to people never cost anything. You know what it does, it gives you a reward." Mr Albanese's trip has been shorter on concrete outcomes than in previous years, when his resumption of dialogue with China saw $20 billion worth of Chinese trade sanctions lifted from Australian exports. But the welcome has been warmer and coverage from Chinese state media more effusive than at any time since before the breakdown in Sino-Australian relations in 2020. A few agreements to boost trade and tourism links have been reached. But the increased dialogue and co-operation in areas from green steel to medical technology were part of a gradual improvement in relations that would advance Australia's national interests, Mr Albanese said. "You don't go from a position of where we were into absolute agreement on everything. That's not the goal." Despite the improving mood, China and Australia still have many issues they disagree on. In meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Mr Albanese raised concerns over China not providing advance notice of naval live-fire drills off Australia that forced commercial flights to divert. Meanwhile, Mr Li has voiced his dismay over Australia's stringent restrictions on foreign investment from China, imploring the Australian government not to treat Chinese firms unfairly. "We have different political systems, but it has been constructive and has been an important step in the developing of our relationship," Mr Albanese said. Anthony Albanese has hit back at the coalition over claims of "indulgence" during his China trip, saying his rivals don't understand the importance of respect in diplomacy. The prime minister's itinerary has included retracing the steps of Gough Whitlam on the Great Wall of China and a panda research centre in the southwestern city of Chengdu as his visit nears the end. Back home, the optics of visiting popular tourist sites attracted sniping from the opposition. Coalition frontbencher James Paterson suggested the prime minister was enjoying himself too much. "I do wonder whether a Gough Whitlam history tour on the Great Wall of China, whether a visit to Chengdu to pose with some pandas, and whether a hit of tennis is strictly necessary as part of a six-day visit to China, when there is so much else at stake in our other international relationships around the world," he told Sky News on Thursday. "And frankly, I have to say that some of this is starting to look a little bit indulgent." Mr Albanese has himself been eager to draw links between his tour and those of former Labor prime ministers Whitlam and Bob Hawke, who also visited the giant pandas in 1986. What those and his visits achieved was building respect between Australia and China, which would in turn result in better economic and diplomatic outcomes, he said. "Those pictures go to 27 million people, potentially, in Australia. They go to over a billion people in China," Mr Albanese told reporters in Chengdu. "And those billion people represent people who are increasingly rising up the income ladder and are potential tourists and therefore job creators in Australia. "If James Patterson doesn't understand that, then he doesn't understand much. "The Great Wall of China symbolises the extraordinary history and culture here in China, and showing a bit of respect to people never cost anything. You know what it does, it gives you a reward." Mr Albanese's trip has been shorter on concrete outcomes than in previous years, when his resumption of dialogue with China saw $20 billion worth of Chinese trade sanctions lifted from Australian exports. But the welcome has been warmer and coverage from Chinese state media more effusive than at any time since before the breakdown in Sino-Australian relations in 2020. A few agreements to boost trade and tourism links have been reached. But the increased dialogue and co-operation in areas from green steel to medical technology were part of a gradual improvement in relations that would advance Australia's national interests, Mr Albanese said. "You don't go from a position of where we were into absolute agreement on everything. That's not the goal." Despite the improving mood, China and Australia still have many issues they disagree on. In meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Mr Albanese raised concerns over China not providing advance notice of naval live-fire drills off Australia that forced commercial flights to divert. Meanwhile, Mr Li has voiced his dismay over Australia's stringent restrictions on foreign investment from China, imploring the Australian government not to treat Chinese firms unfairly. "We have different political systems, but it has been constructive and has been an important step in the developing of our relationship," Mr Albanese said. Anthony Albanese has hit back at the coalition over claims of "indulgence" during his China trip, saying his rivals don't understand the importance of respect in diplomacy. The prime minister's itinerary has included retracing the steps of Gough Whitlam on the Great Wall of China and a panda research centre in the southwestern city of Chengdu as his visit nears the end. Back home, the optics of visiting popular tourist sites attracted sniping from the opposition. Coalition frontbencher James Paterson suggested the prime minister was enjoying himself too much. "I do wonder whether a Gough Whitlam history tour on the Great Wall of China, whether a visit to Chengdu to pose with some pandas, and whether a hit of tennis is strictly necessary as part of a six-day visit to China, when there is so much else at stake in our other international relationships around the world," he told Sky News on Thursday. "And frankly, I have to say that some of this is starting to look a little bit indulgent." Mr Albanese has himself been eager to draw links between his tour and those of former Labor prime ministers Whitlam and Bob Hawke, who also visited the giant pandas in 1986. What those and his visits achieved was building respect between Australia and China, which would in turn result in better economic and diplomatic outcomes, he said. "Those pictures go to 27 million people, potentially, in Australia. They go to over a billion people in China," Mr Albanese told reporters in Chengdu. "And those billion people represent people who are increasingly rising up the income ladder and are potential tourists and therefore job creators in Australia. "If James Patterson doesn't understand that, then he doesn't understand much. "The Great Wall of China symbolises the extraordinary history and culture here in China, and showing a bit of respect to people never cost anything. You know what it does, it gives you a reward." Mr Albanese's trip has been shorter on concrete outcomes than in previous years, when his resumption of dialogue with China saw $20 billion worth of Chinese trade sanctions lifted from Australian exports. But the welcome has been warmer and coverage from Chinese state media more effusive than at any time since before the breakdown in Sino-Australian relations in 2020. A few agreements to boost trade and tourism links have been reached. But the increased dialogue and co-operation in areas from green steel to medical technology were part of a gradual improvement in relations that would advance Australia's national interests, Mr Albanese said. "You don't go from a position of where we were into absolute agreement on everything. That's not the goal." Despite the improving mood, China and Australia still have many issues they disagree on. In meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Mr Albanese raised concerns over China not providing advance notice of naval live-fire drills off Australia that forced commercial flights to divert. Meanwhile, Mr Li has voiced his dismay over Australia's stringent restrictions on foreign investment from China, imploring the Australian government not to treat Chinese firms unfairly. "We have different political systems, but it has been constructive and has been an important step in the developing of our relationship," Mr Albanese said.
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
‘Changing lives': PM's moving moment in China
Anthony Albanese has wrapped up his lengthy state visit to China by watching young boy hear for the first time using an Australian-designed implant. The Prime Minister's final official engagement on Thursday was a tour of Cohclear's plant in Chengdu. Mr Albanese has touted Australia's world-leading med tech sector in the Chinese research hub, keen to carve out a big piece of the pie as demand grows on the back of China's exploding middle class. But he has been keen to stress the human benefits to doing business throughout his time in China. 'It must be extraordinary to hear for the first time,' Mr Albanese remarked as he and fiancee Jodie Haydon were shown around the Cochlear facility. 'You are changing lives.' The plant opened in 2020 and follows the same manufacturing process as in Australia. Donning blue personal protective equipment, Mr Albanese and Ms Haydon ventured into a sterile space to inspect the three main Cochlear products. They were also shown a glass-walled room where the products are assembled. The room was 10-times more sterile than a surgical theatre. Mr Albanese was then taken into a private space where he watched the moment a young boy's Cochlear implant was activated. Speaking to media ahead of the tour, he said it would be an 'incredibly proud moment'. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spruiked Australian technology, including the cochlear impact, on his final official event in China. NewsWire/ Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer Credit: News Corp Australia 'The idea that an Australian invention gives someone who has never heard the voice of their mum or dad, brother sister, never heard the sound of airconditioning, to hear sound of the river, the birds tweeting – it's amazing,' Mr Albanese told reporters. 'We should be so proud of what we're doing, and it will be an incredibly proud moment for me this afternoon as Australian Prime Minister, to be able to witness that' He also thanked the boy's family 'who have agreed and … wanted to show the difference that it makes'. After five days of high level meetings and sightseeing in three different cities, Mr Albanese will on Friday fly back to Australia.
