Just back from reading the discussion on Mamamia about Kristy Fraser-Kirk who is suing David Jones for $37 Million dollars in a sexual harassment claim against the former CEO Mark McInnes.
I also watched the commentary at DJ’s Spring Fashion show today and was appalled at designer Allanah Hill’s reaction – making light of the issue and saying that she wished the former DJ’s CEO had of ‘touched her up’.
Commenters on Mamamia and the comments of Allanah Hill have led me to ponder what the hell is wrong with the sisterhood? Are their views reflective of many women, or a minority?
Whatever the case, these comments and any similar are insulting to all victims of Sexual Harassment.
While some are making light of the topic, others are complaining about the price-tag on the lawsuit.
Despite the fact Ms Fraser-Kirk has pledged to donate it to a charity set up for victims of sexual harassment or considering the amount is a tiny percentage of what the former CEO is ‘worth.’
A couple of opinions I read on the Mamamia site make me concerned and I hope are not shared too widely:
As a victim of sexual harassment myself I fail to see how someone asking you back to their place and trying to kiss you leads to suffering and the need for $37 million. It’s nothing short of opportunistic, she is doing nothing more than taking advantage.
….
I think Kristy would have been stronger if she shrugged him off and got on with her job. Asking for $37 million dollars is just laughable and she is a joke. Puhhhlease – I’m with Alanna Hill on this one – wish he’d asked me back to his place!
My opinion on this matter, as somebody who has been a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace?
I salute Kristy.
Suffering sexual harassment in the workplace is rarely (if ever?) endured as a golden ticket to fortune and fame as some suggest.
It is a very serious, emotionally difficult and highly stressful situation. The decision to take on a case against somebody so powerful can never be an easy one.
In my experience, it was an incredibly confronting issue to discuss with the ‘Powers that be’ who seemed to have a strong alliance with the perpetrator. I had moments where I thought it would be ‘easier not to’ but felt compelled to do so for reasons greater than what was ‘easiest’.
I can only imagine in the case of retail giant David Jones, Kristy would have had to face a similar if not more difficult battle no doubt earning her many enemies on her way.
She did it regardless.
There was something more important here than doing what was easy, and I can bet you it wasn’t money.
If Kristy had of just shrugged it off and just ‘went back to work’ then how on Earth is this issue going to be given the serious attention it deserves?
What message does that send?
None!
People like Kristy who are brave enough to stand up for themselves, their rights and indeed women’s rights need to be congratulated and thanked.
It makes me feel sad that other women would not support what Kristy has done.
It makes me sad that people are so quick to judge before fully grasping just how brave she has been.
People claiming that she is ‘money-hungry’ or ‘should have just got over it’ clearly have not taken a moment to imagine the experience from Kristy’s perspective.
There is a massive boy’s club in many of the big corporations and Kristy’s case simply puts this on the agenda.
As women we need to be high fiving Kristy for taking a stand not just for herself – but for working women everywhere.
Her bravery sends a clear and loud message :Â SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
19 Comments
Hands up who has encountered sexual harassment at work. I have in my first job aged 15, and my second and third jobs. I learned to deal with it. But it is never OK.
I couldn’t have said it better myself! Thank you for such a thought-provoking, sensitive post about an issue that’s so polarising.
I had it in the form of dirty jokes and a supervisor who would sit and ‘chat’ with me for hours while I tried to do my job. It irritated the hell out of me and finally I made it clear that I didn’t find the jokes funny and totally inappropriate. You do get concerned that standing up for yourself will jeopardize your job and if that person will do something to tarnish your reputation with other senior staff.
Hearing you Sharni. I made a mental note never to buy or consider buying Alannah Hill clothing after hearing that ridiculous statement she made. This is one brave, ballsy girl. She needs to know that there are many behind her all agreeing that this crap is absolute crap and it is never, ever ok to treat anyone like this or assume you are in a position of power that entitles you to!
And the large amount of money is doing what it was totally intended to do – raise profile of this issue. The doubters never take in the part about “donate to charity” or “pro bono”.
Nice job as always Sharni.
If everyone could think the way ‘we’ think, the world will be a brighter place. But as darkness and light , kind of exists together…we sometimes get such a FUSE!
I remember having a sleazy old boss who would always ‘accidentally’ brush up against you, make inappropriate comments etc. The attitude amongst the older women was that he was ‘harmless’ and ‘just stay out of his way’. Hmmm…
Instead, I swanned into his office purring “I have something for you”. I stood there whilst he open the envelope, read the printed out ABC Co. Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy and his boss and his wife’s telephone numbers at the bottom. I sat on his desk and asked briskly, phone in hand – “Now, which one shall I call?”
Priceless.
hahaha good – see we need more gutsy women to be role models for the non-gutsy’s so that hopefully gutsy or non-gutsy people everywhere will never have to fear going to work because of sexual harassment
I have always worked largely with women and gay men so have been fortunate never to have been subjected to sexual harassment. (I witnessed gay men sexually harassed in the work place, though that’s a whole ‘nother blog post!)
I agree with what you have said Sharni. Going to work should be free of any type of harassment. When I heard about the case, my first thoughts were : “Wow, this is a very strong girl, who must have incredible support around, as this is not going to be easy.”
I must admit I thought I misheard when the figure $37 million was mentioned, but I’m no expert and am guessing her lawyers think it’s reasonable and it will certainly make an impact.
I hope that this high profile case helps to inspire those who are being subjected to harassment to stand up and be heard too.
Good on you, Sharni! The money is not the issue – if she had been claiming a small amount of compensation, DJs would have done a deal behind the scenes to shut her up. By this brave woman challenging DJs for this huge amount (an amount they can easily afford, BTW) she is forcing this case out in the open. It is not about money, is it about rich and powerful men thinking they can treat women however they want.
Precisely.
… and a big thumbs down to Allannah Hill who demonstrated what a total idiot she can be with her subsequent comments. Never never buy anything from the Alannah Hill range.
What a great post. Thanks Sharni.
Thanks Clare for reading.
I would have to agree with you. The comments by people focussing on the amount of money being asked for, are by people who are missing the point and do not seem to understand the concept of punitive damages. The power differential between Mark McInnes and Ms Fraser-Kirk was enormous. She sought to have her employers deal with the matter and they allegedly refused to do so. I support her 100%. I won’t be shopping at David Jones or Alannah Hill any time soon.
Nor me. Thanks for your comment Alice.
Well said Sharni.
Like you I am sick and tired of women not supporting each other. For God’s sake – enough is enough, sexual harassment is never OK.
To those people who say that the woman needs to “just tell the guy to back off” I would ask them to remember how insecure they felt when they first started out in the work place, how these perpetrators often try to turn things around to make the woman doubt herself and think it was her fault, that the damage to a woman’s confidence and career prospects from sexual harassment can be devastating.
As a mature woman (40) I have had the confidence in the last few years to call a manager up on his behaviour and remind him of his responsibilities. There is NO WAY I could have done that even 10 years ago, let alone 20.
Every woman needs to make a stand to stop this harassment – if we don’t stick up for each other then our daughters and grand daughters will still be at risk in the future
Thanks for your comment drama queen. Yep we need strong women like Kristy if we are ever going to see changes of attitude from the ‘boys club’ in the workplace.
Well said Sharni! Couldn’t agree with you more.
Great post Sharni, Sexual harassment is never ok. I am also so very sick of women attacking each other over stuff like this. What happened to women supporting each other and celebrating our differences. A visit to the mamamia site is now nothing more than an experience of angry school yard bullying, with one side attacking the other for daring to hold a different point of view. Not a nice place to go.