A few days ago, New York Times’ podcast The Daily dropped a massive episode – an interview with Donna Rotunno, one of the attorneys behind Harvey Weinstein‘s legal strategy.
The interview – helmed by Megan Twohey, one of the reporters who broke the original Weinstein story for NYT – was full of interesting, conversation-starting content. But none more so, it seems, than this quote from Rotunno.
I was almost done interviewing Weinstein’s defense attorney when I decided to ask one more question: had she ever been sexually assaulted? “I have not,” she said at 23:50. “Because I would never put myself in that position.” Then things really heated up. https://t.co/l1ExsBCgHX
— megan twohey (@mega2e) February 7, 2020
Naturally, Rotunno’s comment has riled up the entirety of womankind, pretty much. It didn’t take long for people to start using the hashtag #WhereIPutMyself, which seems to have been started by Rachel Denhollander:
Weinstein’s attorney says she’s never been abused because she wouldn’t put herself “in that position.” . Tell Weinstein’s lawyer what position you “put yourself in.”
1. In a Bible study. I was 7.
2. In the care of a famous doctor.#whereIputmyself https://t.co/SIQpLFmsG2
— Rachael Denhollander (@R_Denhollander) February 8, 2020
She’s encouraging women to show how sexual misconduct, abuse and rape can occur anywhere, to anyone – and the acts have nothing to do with women “putting themselves” in any position.
1. Simply being a toddler in my home, where my parents regular drug use exposed me to a number of unsafe men they brought over to party
2. Staying overnight with friends from church as a teenager #whereiputmyself https://t.co/n2l4vL5B7B
— Stephanie Tait ♿️ (@StephTaitWrites) February 8, 2020
I was walking across the street to get a sandwich. #WhereIPutMyself https://t.co/EjNGTadpsE
— Escitalopram Cutie (@LexaproLeftist) February 7, 2020
In a sleeping bag, trying to go to sleep in my cabin at summer camp.#WhereIPutMyself
— Ross E. Cheit (@ProfCheit) February 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/weskoest/status/1226136640524914688
I was home, my husband was in another room with our small children. We thought he was a friend. #whereiputmyself https://t.co/MRfv7IzaZ8
— Brittany 🦦🌙 (@BrittNishKwe) February 8, 2020
At my best friend’s house. #whereIputmyself
— 👀 (@neonyogapants) February 9, 2020
At church. #whereIputmyself https://t.co/FRU9A9mSP6
— Rachel Peach (@rachelpeach15) February 8, 2020
The thread is well worth a read to understand how rape, abuse and sexual misconduct can happen anywhere, at any time, and no amount of policing your own behaviour as a woman can completely protect you from it happening to you.
Once again, can we stop blaming victims and focus on the real evil here – those who rape, abuse, and harass women.
