#MeToo: How Pervasive and Permissive Power Dynamics Create Cultures of Harassment and Abuse


#MeToo: How Pervasive and Permissive Power Dynamics Create Cultures of Harassment and Abuse


In this episode of Season 3 of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, host Daralyse Lyons examines the ways in which the #MeToo Movement both made sexual harassment visible and failed to expose the extent to which harassment is supported by abusive systems. As Daralyse and those interviewed discuss the simultaneous importance and inadequacy of the #MeToo Movement, they reveal the cultural norms that promote unhealthy power dynamics, at work and elsewhere, and invite listeners to move beyond “bad apple” thinking and to create environments wherein bystanders become upstanders!

In this episode, you will learn about:

* How the #MeToo Movement has shifted the landscape of abuse in the workplace.

* That abuse is systemic, and that ending it is a much larger and more daunting task than removing “bad apples.”

* The importance of survivors sharing their stories (if they choose) as a means of empowering themselves and supporting others.

* How workplace abuse, while more likely to be perpetrated by men against women, persists in many forms and impacts individuals of all genders.

* How sexual abuse is, at its core, an issue of inequitable and unhealthy power dynamics.

* What to look for when abuse is suspected, and ways in which to provide support, or seek help, in the face of workplace harassment.

* How to intervene to prevent harassment from escalating and to empower victims of workplace abuse.

Our guest experts this episode include:

Leora Eisenstadt - Leora is an Associate Professor in the Department of Legal Studies at the Fox School of Business at Temple University, a Murray Shusterman Research Fellow, and the Director of the Center for Ethics, Diversity and Workplace Culture - CEDWC. Leora is also an assistant producer and consultant for the Demystifying Diversity Podcast.

Armando X. Estrada - Armando, who everyone calls AXE, an Associate Professor in the Department of Policy, Organizational and Leadership Studies at Temple University. Prior to his current position, AXE served as a Program Manager and Senior Research Psychologist, with the Foundational Science Research Unit of the United States Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. Before that, he served in the US Marine Corp from 1987 to 1995 and he continues to be actively involved in the Society for Military Psychology.

Stephanie Vogt - Stephanie is a Sexual Assault and Post Traumatic Stress Support Counselor, Yoga and Meditation Teacher, survivor, writer and advocate for survivors of sexual violence and abuse.

Liz Taylor - Liz is an Assistant Professor in the Sport and Recreation Management Department at Temple University's School of Sport Tourism and Hospitality Management, whose work examines gender descrimination, homophobia, sexual harassment and assault within the athletic industry, has done a lot of work examining cultures of abuse as well as how workplace expectations of employee engagement can lead to burnout.

Ana Velasquez - Ana is a Public Relations and Online Harassment Coordinator for Right to Be, is a journalist and communications specialist who is passionate about increasing public awareness about social issues and creating healthier digital ecosystems. Prior to coming to work for Right to Be, Ana worked as a tech journalist in Columbia.

Silvia Masiero - Silvia is an Associate Professor of Information Systems at the University of Oslo and the author of more than 20 peer-reviewed works in the domain of Information and Communication Technology for Development, affectionately known as ICT4D.

Steph Gantman Kaplan - Steph is a labor and employment attorney and partner at Blank Rome. Steph was listed in the 2020 Philadelphia Business Journal as Best of the Bar: Employment Litigation. Her professional expertise extends to all areas of labor and employment law, including helping organizations to be intentional about implementing policies that seek to increase employee satisfaction while being governed by laws and best practices.

Chair Charlotte Burrows - Designated by President Biden as Chair of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - EEOC - on January 20, 2021, Chari Burrows has served as a Commissioner of the EEOC for multiple terms and who previously served as Associate Deputy Attorney General at the United States Department of Justice, as well as General Counsel for Civil and Constitutional Rights to Senator Edward M Kennedy.

Crystal Harold - Crystal is an Associate Professor in Human Resource Management and a Paul Anderson Research Fellow at Temple University's School of Business, has specifically studied abusive female supervision. Prior to pursuing her current career path, Crystal worked as a Strategic Human Resources Consultant for numerous governmental agencies, including the Air Force, the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and the Department of the Interior. Along with fellow researchers, she conducted a study in which they examined the conditions and impacts of abusive female supervision.

Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

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