After the Harvey Weinstein scandal, it’s as though women have found a renewed voice in them to stand up against sexual harassment. On the other hand, perhaps, the scandal shook so many that women’s voices are finally being heard. Either way, the society is becoming more aware of the predators residing in it and trying to do whatever they can, to prevent victimisation.
Despite this, victims of sexual harassment are still blamed and shamed when they raise their voice and it has led me to think that something is truly wrong with the way we are conditioned. Maybe, it is the cinema fad which has been hammered into our minds that ‘No’ means ‘Yes’, or the society telling us not to make a big deal, the lines between flirting and sexual harassment have been blurred.
Therefore, comedian and actress, Kate Willet decided to take it upon her shoulders to show the world the difference between flirting and sexual harassment in a Twitter post.
Here's my perspective on the difference between sexual harassment and flirting. pic.twitter.com/LMq0HaTdJ4
— Kate Willett (@katewillett) December 10, 2017
If I may say so myself, she hit the nail right on the head with her post and shut all the people who blame the victims of sexual harassment by saying that they are blowing it out of proportion.
In no time, Twitter took notice of her post applauding her for her stance, and also confessing that when they thought about it, they couldn’t help but agree.
1. Nailed it!
https://twitter.com/mishellbaker/status/940059288462008321
2. Do not go from zero to 100 in a split second.
In my experience many men can't differentiate between a woman flirting and one who is just being as friendly to him as she would be to anyone. Take small steps and pay attention to responses.
— TerryHasAnOpinon (@Terrysagirl) December 11, 2017
3. Is our notion of consent to be blamed?
Not going against this to any degree as this most closely describes what I understand to be flirting. However I still often seem to lose out to guys whose idea of flirting is much closer to what I believe sexual harassment looks like. This is not a black and white issue.
— OB (@OracleBoracle) December 11, 2017
4. Some more points for you to consider.
There’s also a power dynamic to harassment. Flirting retains an equality — harassment is when one person has power over another and can exact consequences outside of the moment if thwarted.
— Robin Tiberius Kirk has a new book coming out! (@RobinKirk) December 11, 2017
5. Correction: It must be!
https://twitter.com/TheReddestRose/status/940458790377230337
6. No reciprocation = No consent.
For me the difference has always come down to reciprocation.
If someone doesn't flirt back then stop.— Tom Forde 🤔 ☘️ (@FordWithAnE) December 11, 2017
7. I wish everybody would understand that.
I've never read a better definition of the difference. This really ought to be posted up in every pub and workplace in the country. I have brought up my children to be respectful at all times in their relationships, but never quite been able to express it this eloquently.
— David Pearce (@davidgpearce) December 11, 2017
8. That was the cherry on top!
"You're comparing a paint brush to a wrecking ball." Excellent simile, thanks!
— We've Already Lost WWIII! Depose the Regime🆘 (@Robertthe_Bruce) December 11, 2017
9. Me too!
Yo, this blew me away.
— Jess Shaw (@jesssshaww) December 12, 2017
10. Perfect!
This description made me a little hot and bothered! Just like a good flirt. Perfect.
— 100% witch skin (@kayteterry) December 12, 2017
This post is the key to anyone arguing it’s just harmless flirting and we could not be more thankful to Kate for this.