Sophie Echternach | Writer
October 3, 2021
In recent years, increasing numbers of sexual harassment allegations have come out against news anchors and figures in the industry. As of last week, CNN news anchor, Chris Cuomo, joined them.
Cuomo is a popular television news journalist for CNN who is said to be best known for his show, Cuomo Prime Time. Just a few days ago, former boss of Cuomo’s, Shelley Ross, brought forward accusations of Cuomo sexually harassing her at a going-away party in 2005. With the #MeToo era at an all-time high, it is crucial that women come together to be heard.
Although Cuomo issued a “sincere” apology via email to Ross shortly after the incident, Ross explains that she has witnessed on more than one occasion, Cuomo not taking the opportunities for accountability. One instance of this is when his brother, former governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo was accused of sexual harassment earlier this year. Resigning from his position in office, [Andrew] Cuomo was headlined in the media for weeks. In response to his brother’s actions, [Chris] Cuomo said, “ [I] have always cared very deeply about these issues and profoundly so. I just wanted to tell you that.” Ross’ attention was caught by these words due to the contradictions of his past actions.
Unfortunately, the Cuomo brothers are not the only men in positions of power who have had sexual misconduct allegations come out against them. In relation to the #MeToo era, many women have become emboldened with the opportunity to finally speak out against these men who have destroyed their lives.
“Women should not have to worry when entering the workforce,” San Clemente High School junior Ava Miller said. “They have just as much a right to jobs and a successful career as men, so men making women feel uncomfortable and sexually harassed in the workplace is showing how threatening and unaccepting misogynistic men, rooted in gender stereotypes, are.”
Similarly, junior, Kayla Shanafelt said, “For women, it’s hard for them to speak up about allegations too because they have to take the risk of losing their job even though they are the victim.”
It’s time for a change. Men like Chris Cuomo need to be held accountable for their unacceptable actions towards women. With more and more women finding the confidence to speak up, improvement in male-dominated workforces is on the rise. These recent allegations have shed light on the severity of sexual harassment and the long-term effects it can have on the victims.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual harassment, contact these resources and get the help you deserve.
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): https://www.nsvrc.org/survivors
Leave a Reply