Shall we take the time to remember what witch hunts really were? We can trace most of our knowledge back to the infamous Salem witch trials in 17th century America. Spawning books, films and TV series, people are fascinated at what prompted around 200 people to be accused of witchcraft and 20 people to be executed.However, this was just the tip of the iceberg. Across Europe it is estimated that tens of thousands of people were killed in similar trials. Around 75% of those killed were women. Often baseless accusations were aimed at people in society who perhaps did not conform to the religious or behavioural expectations of the time. The subsequent 'convictions' were often based on superstition, mass hysteria and testimony the likes of which seem laughable today. Some had their hands and feet tied and were immersed in water. If they floated (being rejected by the water) then they were found guilty. If they sank and subsequently drowned, then they were innocent. In this case, being innocent was not really to your advantage. We can easily look back now and wonder how this can have happened.
When we have had that reminder, it really shows that using the term witch hunt to describe what happens in today's society is pretty ridiculous. Will we really look back in 300 years at the downfall of Harvey Weinstein with the same horror? I don't think so. Hopefully we will look back and wonder why it did not happen sooner. Women now are being empowered to come forward about something that has traditionally not been an easy thing to do. And yet even though they are the victims, they are still treated as if they have done something wrong. Questions are asked of them - why didn't they come forward sooner? Why did they go to his hotel room? Were they drinking? Who have they dated before? It goes on and on. If this is a trial by media, then who is really on trial here - the accused or the victim? When we look at it like this, if this was a witch hunt then the ones on trial are still the women.
The men accused recently all have the opportunity and the means to defend themselves against the allegations made about them. It is worth noting that even though men like Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey have literally released statements admitting their behaviour, there are still people defending them and casting doubt. This in itself would be a whole other blog which would need to go further into exactly what scares so many in society about empowered women? However, here I will just use it to make the point that there is no persecution of men in these stories. For everyone who condemns their behaviour, you will find someone else with a robust defensc. Don't believe me? Just check Twitter - or if you fancy really having your soul destroyed, the Daily Mail comments section usually does the trick.
