I hate to say it, but these guys being accused of sexual assault and misconduct MAY have a defense strategy, saying it was acceptable behavior “back then.” I’m talking about accusations of events happening decades ago, not ones in the relatively recent past (but someone would have to define that). It definitely isn’t right or moral, but that could very well be set aside.
It happened to me—the butt pats, uncomfortable arm around me, “accidental” breast-brushing, off-color comments about my appearance. But who could I complain to? Our male boss or his male boss? The men who observed and laughed about it? It wasn’t illegal, so the police would tell me it was just boys being boys, that they were showing their affection for and acceptance of me as a colleague, and I should be a good sport. Problem is, the attitude I attribute to the police was, in general, society’s attitude at that time.
I’m not trivializing what any woman has gone through. As I said, I’ve been there and know how it feels and the awkward, even professionally precarious position it puts a woman in. But I foresee lawyers arguing their clients’ cases, with the spin they’ll likely put on it. And the greater the number of older men who are accused, the easier the spin.
Let this be a warning to all “good old boys,” which, thankfully, are no longer the majority of men: times have changed, so be a good sport about it and change your ways.