The news is currently on a sexual harassment binge. Everyone in every industry is a target as more women are coming forward with their stories. The situation may have gotten out of hand. Michael Fallon resigns as MP after “Kneegate” sexual harassment scandals took over British tabloids.
“Kneegate” might be one of the most genuinely absurd things to have hit the headlines in recent times. It refers to Michael Fallon touching a journalist’s knee during a group dinner 15 years ago. The incident concluded with the journalist telling Fallon that if he touched her knee again, she would punch him in the face. He stopped touching her knee, and everyone had a normal meal.
A spokesperson to Fallon also apologised for the incident after it happened in 2002.
15 years later, the press is thirsting for any hints of sexual scandal. With Harvey Weinstein’s allegations rocking Hollywood, news reporters are looking for potential stories in other industries.
This "incident" happened in 2002. No one was remotely upset or distressed by it. My knees remain intact. I refer you to my earlier statement pic.twitter.com/TWTj0nnsWb
— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) October 30, 2017
Speaker Bercow calls for zero tolerance of harassment. Michael Fallon has since resigned from his position as MP. In his resignation letter, he states
“A number of allegations have surfaced about MPs in recent days, including some about my previous conduct. Many of these have been false but I accept that in the past I have fallen below the high standards that we require of the armed forces that I have the honour to represent.”
Julia Hartley-Brewer, the journalist who’s knee was touched, responded that she was shocked. She has since written a piece in The Sun talking about the hysteria on sexual harassment currently in the media.
“This is absurd. We are now in the ridiculous situation where any woman can point the finger of blame at any man and anyone who dares to question her is instantly accused of “victim shaming” or, worse, being a “rape apologist”.
No one should ever have to put up with sexual harassment of any kind. But we need to keep a sense of perspective.”
Kevin Spacey comes out as gay
Kevin Spacey has taken the news by storm. Normally an A-list celebrity coming out of the closet would be congradulated and labelled as brave. Not in this case, as Spacey came out only after accusations of sexually harassing a minor back in the 1980s.
Actor Anthony Rapp spoke out about Kevin Spacey to BuzzFeed. He alleges that Kevin Spacey invited him back to his apartment for a party, and at the end of the night picked him up, put him on a bed and made sexual advances on him.
Kevin Stacey made a public apology for the incident, explaining that he did not remember doing such a thing. He neither accepts or denies, but does apologise.
— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) October 30, 2017
The LGBT community has come out in anger. Many believe Spacey is using his coming out as a deflection against the crimes he’s been accused of. It also puts the LGBT community in a bad light, as there have been stigmatisms against the gay community in concerns over consent previously.
Kevin Spacey is now seeking treatment. His Netflix show House of Cards has announced the 6th season will be their final one.