The academics behind the research argue that learning to understand how bias works, as well as debunking
harmful myths that lend themselves to victim-blaming – ie her clothes gave me the signal; she was flirting
with me too – could help men to realise who they’re really standing up for when they universally reject the
claims of women.
But I think we need to go further. Like so many other forms of prejudice, one of the most effective means of
dealing with it is for those who stand to benefit from discrimination to take it upon themselves to challenge
people like them – the people who would shut down if anyone else contradicted their views.
Men could start by seeking to understand their part in exacerbating harassment, even if – from their
perspective – it’s as indirect as “happening” to have more trust in people like them, or saying nothing
because it’s easier. Stop and ask yourself why your gut tells you to challenge women rather than men, why
factors like what someone is wearing, or how promiscuous you deem them to be, trump the facts every
single time.
It’s hard to challenge people, especially when you’re in the same social circles. But it doesn’t even come
close to summoning the strength to publicly accuse someone of sexual harassment, knowing full well that
women who do are too often crucified for it. Just as bias can be learned, it can be unlearned. The sooner
more men realise that, the better.