Turns out sexual harassment – is a global problem. Shocker. I know. 
The #metoo movement has been a global phenomenon. Here is an article about how it has recently impacted Japan – https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43721227
The big change is that – women are not longer willing to suffer in silence and just try to move on. We are sharing our stories with one another and gaining confidence that – the problem isn’t us. It’s men.
But – not all men. So – men – if you are worried you are going to get “falsely” accused by a woman. Don’t be – unless – you actually have assaulted a woman.
Most men – don’t assault women. I know this will shock the men who do assault women – but we women – actually are able to function well – for the most part – with the various men in our lives – whether they be co-workers, classmates or whatever. Seriously. Most men – do not assault women.
The men who do – something is wrong with them. Do not allow the crappy men try to convince you that their behavior is normal. And that all guys. Nope. Not all guys. Most men – are perfectly capable of being in a woman’s presence and functioning – normally – as a normal human does. Seriously – they do and can.
Men – when you hear another man – saying things like – well – we’ll all be in trouble if women are allowed to complain about our behavior – understand – that this man just admitted to you – that he physically assaults women and he thinks it’s ok and that you are just like him. If you aren’t – say so. You aren’t worried. Most men aren’t worried.
This is like if someone said – they are worried that people are upset at a robbery – when everyone robs. No – not everyone robs and the only people who need to worry about a crackdown on robberies – is robbers. Same with assaulter. You know that aggressive men – exist – and that you have plenty of male friends – who don’t bully you. Bullying – is not the norm, but they do make life miserable. That’s what assault is. It’s not the norm – but it makes life miserable and like bullying – can leave life long emotional scars.
Do not be afraid of being falsely accused by a woman. If you are normal human being who treats women like a normal human being. You are going to be just fine. It’s really only the men who don’t – who are in trouble. And that’s a good thing – because these men – also bully men. Want to get rid of them – work with women – to make them outcasts.
Finally – for those of you who are doing cross cultural work – and need to brush up on the sexual harassment laws in Japan – or – who are Japanese and coming to America and would like a training to help understand – not just the laws – but how to behave as a decent human being around other decent human beings – I offer sexual harassment training that focuses on how to make unwanted behavior – like bullying or harassment – stop. And I love Japan and would love to start doing more work in Japan and with people coming to America. So please contact me if you have questions or need training.
https://humanistlearning.com/category/bullyingharassment/
And always remember, you can be the ethical professional you are and not fall prey to predatory males trying to convince you that being horrible to women – is normal. It’s not and it’s time we say so.