Whisper No More

THERE have long been whispers of prevalent sexual harassment in the entertainment industry, but none have dared come forward with public disclosures. That changed this week when actor and singer Meesha Shafi alleged that her peer, Ali Zafar, sexually harassed her.

Several more women have since said that they too were subject or witness to similar behaviour. Some have provided more details than others, but there are concerns of a pattern emerging. Many questions need to be answered, for Mr Zafar stands accused of a serious crime.

Given the exhaustive debates since the #MeToo campaign began, one would expect considered responses. Instead, it is dispiriting to witness many within the industry peddle the same tired tropes of shaming and blaming victims, and assumptions that sexual predators can be easily discerned. It is ignorant to pretend that conditioning and social pressures have no effect on victims’ ability to speak out, that sexual harassment cannot intersect with other disputes, or that ‘hardworking family men’ are precluded from scrutiny. It is particularly egregious given the example of a local start-up handling allegations against its CEO more effectively only a few days prior.

There was physical evidence in the latter’s case, but the fact remains that most claims can only be corroborated by testimonies that women — whether established or emerging professionals — have the most to lose from.