I personally feel that the key to moving forward is remembering that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, while at the same time, giving support to the people who have been hurt when they speak up. The two are not mutually exclusive. That one aspect made me feel very uncomfortable when the movement began, because it seemed like any time there was an accusation, the media immediately began to crucify the accused whether there was any evidence of guilt or not, and often before law enforcement was even involved.
No one should be afraid to speak up If they have been abused and all accusations should be investigated. I support anyone who is brave enough to face their abuser. However, what should happen next is an investigation to uncover the facts, not an immediate assumption of guilt through the media. Sometimes the internet is as much a curse as a blessing. Let the legal system do what it is supposed to do.
There will always be a few people who take advantage of MeToo, for revenge or to perpetrate harassment of their own, but I feel that a proper investigation through law enforcement instead of social media will separate out the real criminals from the wrongly accused. I want the guilty parties to suffer the consequences of their actions, and I have to trust our legal system will do that.
In this particular case, I do believe that they both could benefit from therapy. Their relationship was toxic on many levels, but it did appear, through the trial, that she was in the wrong and the jury agreed. The sad thing is, he may never get his career back to what it was, so in a way, he is still the loser as well. I don’t see this as a setback for the entire MeToo movement. There are too many people who have truly been harmed, and they deserve their day in court.
