Letter to the editor: Sexually harassed? Don't be polite – be empowered

As we continue to be educated about the extent of sexual assault and sexual harassment in our country, we see a variety of people using #MeToo on social media and in the press.

I feel that many of us were raised to be much too polite, and that is why when people come at us in inappropriate ways, we often remain silent about it and hide instead. I think more appropriately this national crisis should be called #MeNeither.

I had an acquaintance make an unwanted advance toward me two years ago and I’ve worked hard to be invisible since then, avoiding this individual and everyone he knows. Unfortunately, my aggressor continues to harass me. When someone harasses you, do you make a loud scene in public to alert others to the danger you are feeling? #MeNeither

Do you tell people who know your aggressor about his or her behavior? #MeNeither

Do you think the police have enough power to help victims? #MeNeither

We need to shift the national discussion to empowerment. Don’t go away quietly! Be loud! Report everything when it happens! Take self-defense courses! Tell everyone who knows you what’s going on so they can help protect you!

Do you think you can handle all this alone? #MeNeither

Wendy Coffey-Slattery

Sweden