Stories of women abused by men in power

ME TOO. These two words are possibly the most powerful to have hit social media in 2017. The movement, which was introduced by actress Alyssa Milano at the suggestion of a friend, was formed with the intention of giving a sense of the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault in the global context. The call to action soon dominated Twitter and spilled over to Facebook , then invaded other social media to a lesser degree. Thousands of women across the world, including celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Kate Beckinsale, added their voices to the outcry, and some women were brave enough to finally name their attackers — some of them rich and famous bigwigs.

The impact of the movement has been so great that it inspired a similar movement in Jamaica — #saytheirnames — but this was quickly quashed, as many people feared the legal repercussions of naming abusers who had not been formally charged.

But if things and times were different locally for women, how huge would the #metoo movement be? Some have said that Jamaica would shut down if local women joined the movement and started calling names, because for many women, the faces of their abusers are among the most powerful and most revered on the island. How true is this? We asked women to spill their stories of being abused by men in power.

J:

I was nine when my mother said that I needed to do something with my voice — it was our way out of poverty, she said, and I was eager for this. Anyway, my mother’s friend knew somebody, a well-respected musical instructor and producer in our parish, and she paid for the lessons. About eight weeks into training, he would always try to put his lips on mine and would touch my belly and chest area while telling me to sing from my diaphragm. As time went by it started feeling normal, even though I knew it was wrong, and as much disdain as I had for him, I allowed it to happen. Apart from the father of my child, I have never told anyone about this… not that anyone would believe me. I wish I hadn’t gone through all that, because even with my beautiful voice I now have a regular profession, but still no music deals. Thankfully I have made peace with myself and the culprit, because I know that coming out would ruin his reputation and probably make me some enemies.

S:

He was our high school teacher and we spent many late evenings with him practising for various competitions. On the first occasion, we were in the school library while the others were either showering or eating. He reached beneath the table and he groped me and I remember it happening every time we were alone after that. I knew it was wrong, but he treated me well and he gave me attention. It continued until I went to university. He is now married with children, I believe. Whenever I think about it I am disgusted, but I don’t think I want to open a can of worms, even though I know I could protect other girls from something similar.

J:

My boss coerced me into giving him sexual favours and allowing him to touch me, because he knew I needed a job. I remember how disgusting it felt having him stick his tongue in my ears and how my body would scream with resentment when he slapped me on my butt. And I know this is not my story alone, but sometimes you go low when you want to get somewhere in your career and your studies. I took my time and returned to school, and I have the upper handle now. Some days when I hear the descriptions they use when they praise him I just want to scream, but all I will say is this: When these men take your kids without subjects or barely any, pray for them, because it is likely they are making them pay for their shortcomings with harassment.

M:

I was 15, living in poverty in one of Kingston’s ghettos, and as things became worse for my family, I made the decision to enter into a relationship with an older man. He was a Christian and a customs officer, and provided for my needs. Three years later I discovered that I was not only pregnant, but he had passed on the HIV virus to me. When I confronted him, he threatened me. More than anything else I want to report the matter, but I am so scared of what would happen if I did.