More Tales Of Sexual Misconduct – Will It Ever End…?

For many years I have been involved in the fashion and beauty industry.  So I was not surprised to hear that a number of models have accused an extremely talented and successful photographer of sexual misconduct whilst on shoots, recently.

Allegations  such as these are not new to this industry.

I am sure you are all able to tell a tale or two of the ‘casting couch’ being used within this sector.   Unfortunately, in my opinion this sort of activity will always occur within this industry… alongside reports of Catholic church sex abuse scandals… inappropriate teacher/pupil relationships… should I go on…because we are dealing with people in a world that is made up of the good and bad.

The photographer concerned has stated on his blog that he is innocent of all of the allegations.  But where is the hue and cry in the media of this announcement!!!  I am only seeing the statement  on blogs… Why? Is it  because his statement is not as sexy or interesting a story as young vivacious models being assaulted by an elderly powerful man.

Don’t get me wrong if the photographer took advantage of his position then the book should be thrown at him… He unlike the priest involved in the recent Catholic scandal should not be allowed to run and hide with the blessing of his colleagues… for six days!!!!! Or until it has all blown over….only to go out to pick up where he left off… no no no Shaz does not agree with that.

But what if he is telling the truth…? Will his career survive the scandal…?

What if the models are telling the truth…? What do you think should happen to him… and others who abuse their roles in this manner…?

Should there be a body or organisation that models, designers, interns etc can report sexual misconduct to without fear of reprisals?

Have you or a friend of yours experienced a similar situation? What did you do?

This is a subject close to my heart fashionistas… let me see your thoughts… in the comments.

Talk soon

Shaz

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10 Responses to “More Tales Of Sexual Misconduct – Will It Ever End…?”

  1. Sean H. says:

    Shaz:
    you stopped short. What should happen to the models (his accusers) if he is innocent ?
    It is all too easy for people to hurl accusations without proof then the accused has to dig themself out.
    The idea of “(presumed) innocent until proven guilty” seldom works in reality. Bring the evidence and let justice prevail.
    Media publishing such a story WITHOUT PROOF would likely land them in a libel suit.

  2. shaz says:

    Hi Sean H
    Your absolutely right… I should have asked that question…
    I guess my thing is that everyone needs to be held accountable and responsible for their actions… So if they lied then the law and the industry will undoubtedly act appropriately.
    Shaz

  3. John says:

    You got to understand that the media love to play on stories such as sex abuse. One must be careful not to make up story to put food in their belly. You got some fools will see this as a way to make money through media.

  4. God is amazing praise him!

  5. ray says:

    This is a non issue. The girs are mature adults and so is the photographer. They probably gave him some and didnt get the lucrative deal he promised. But he had to promise something to get some. They are not kids.

  6. Omugabe says:

    Rumors and outright lies can destroy an alleged victim; so too can the un-prosecuted truth about serious sexual victimization destroy destroy the victim.

    Maybe we should be concentrating on preventing and on lessening the chances of destruction coming from either side?

    As the less dominant of the genders, females are already vulnerable to ‘prowling males’; so females who choose to be part of so-called ‘industries’ that promote promiscuity, porn and prostitution, are making themselves even easier targets of victimization.

    Yes! The so-called ‘fashion industry’ is one that promotes promiscuity, porn and prostitution; because sexual pleasures of one kind or another are being promoted/sold.

    Women can complain of being sexually victimized all they want; because that is ALWAYS going to be the case when females place themselves in compromising position, and make themselves even more vulnerable than they naturally are.

    There is a STRONG and naturally affinity between male and females.

    If females do not want that naturally affinity to be exploited at the ‘wrong time’ or at the ‘wrong place’, then females MUST seek to avoid those ‘wrong place’s and those ‘wrong times’.

    There is never ever going to be a time in human history in which opportunistic males are not going to try and jump all over compromised females.
    So prevention and caution have to be watchwords for the less dominant of the genders.

    Merely complaining about being sexually victimized in ‘industries’ that promote promiscuity, porn and prostitution will do little to end the victimization in such ‘industries’.

  7. jan watts says:

    That the thing, some people don’t where to draw the line, if he didn’t do anything to her, she need to be charge, let it be known to the public, as for him if he did it, it was never the first she was the only brave one to come forward.

  8. Antoinette says:

    Sexual harrassment in Jamaica is rife and rampant as our men, esp. those in positions of power, see it as their ‘God-given’ right to exploit our women. The Usual story is that the women are ‘up to it’ or if they need favours, a job, or something, they have to ‘put out’. In the fashion & entertainment business there’s the infamous ‘casting couch’ (not ‘coach’) as Shaz says, so-called because in the early days of Hollywood, actresses seeking movie parts would have to make out or have sex with the powerful movie directors or casting agents on their studio of office couch in order to even be considered for the part. This in no longer the case in Hollywood due to sex harrasment laws, but it’s real shame that our sexual harrasment laws are routinely disregarded here in Jamaica. It’s about time we made examples of these men.

  9. Shaz says:

    Thank you for the correction Antoinette. ‘casting couch’ not ‘casting coach’ You are absolutely right!

  10. God of War says:

    good morning, I view all your writings, keep them coming.

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10 comments so far
Shaz Posted by: Shaz March 24, 2010 at 12:04 pm