#Me Too and Due Process

The #MeToo movement is about delayed justice (or partial justice) for women who have been subject to sexual harassment. It is partial because the only penalty imposed on the accused is his reputation. But what about due process? It is a core principal of U.S. law that one is innocent until proven guilty. If the accused man admits he has acted inappropriately, there is little need to prove guilt. If he denies the alleged acts, the question remains – which do we believe? There is great believability when a number of women allege similar acts by one man. Not every accusation is true. And neither is every denial. Some men have spoken as if a denial is the same thing as innocence. It isn’t.