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* From 2002…
Erika Harold, crowned in September as Miss America 2003, told reporters Oct. 9 she had been informed that morning by Miss America chief executive George Bauer there would be no restrictions on her discussion of chastity as part of her youth violence prevention platform. […]
Abstinence education is an important part of preventing teenage violence, because violence is directly related to sexual promiscuity, Harold told reporters in Washington.
“I think that if a young person is engaged in a promiscuous lifestyle, it makes them vulnerable to other risk factors, so I definitely see a tie-in there,” Harold said, The Times reported.
“Many victims of sexual harassment believe what is said about them, and they become very promiscuous. When they’re called a whore, when they’re called a slut, they think, ‘That’s what I want to be,’ and so they engage in a pattern of self-destruction that can be very detrimental to their lives,” she said.
* The Associated Press has a story about it today…
Neena Chaudhry, general counsel at the National Women’s Law Center, said there is no evidence that harassment causes “many” victims to become “promiscuous.” She called Harold’s statement “egregious” — in 2002 or today — and said it “feeds into damaging stereotypes.”
“My deep concern is this is the kind of blaming and shaming that keeps young people from coming forward and reporting sexual harassment and sexual violence,” she said. “I think (the comment) is egregious whenever it’s uttered, and by whomever they’re uttered.”
Harold’s campaign stood by the remarks in a statement Wednesday and said she didn’t intend to blame victims.
“Erika was clearly referring to the labels bullies and harassers use on their victims and how it may negatively impact victims’ lives. She understands firsthand what victims of sexual harassment are going through because she’s lived it herself,” spokesman Aaron DeGroot said. “The fact is studies show that sexual harassment can cause anxiety, depression, negative body image and low self-esteem in some victims. That’s why Erika has made it her life’s mission to empower young people, combat bullying and prevent sexual harassment.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 1:31 pm
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Previous Post: Another former Pritzker campaign worker comes forward as the spin cranks up
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This is a tough business. Is it a coincidence this story comes up the day after she raises $1.6 million?
Comment by DarkHorse Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 1:35 pm
Not sure I see the problem. Harold says people who are harrassed can change to reflect the insults. That is the opposite of victim blaming, since the harassment comes first, before the behavior change. If anything this logic could be used to excuse questionable behavior. Still, her theory makes no sense to me, but like I said, there’s no victim shaming I can see here.
Comment by Perrid Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 1:37 pm
So Kwame finds a female surrogate to “mansplain” why Erika, who has been bullied and harassed, is wrong about the impact of bullying and harassment? As they say, #ibelieveher.
Comment by phocion Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 1:40 pm
–Abstinence education is an important part of preventing teenage violence, because violence is directly related to sexual promiscuity, Harold told reporters in Washington.–
Dorm-room ideologue argle-bargle, based on nothing.
FWIW, teen pregnancies and abortions overall are at all-time lows in the United States.
I doubt that abstinence has anything to do with it.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 1:48 pm
Yeah someone who entered a swimsuit competition is going to judge other women smh.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 1:49 pm
Misogyny much, Anonymous 1:49?
Comment by phocion Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 1:53 pm
===As they say, #ibelieveher.===
I believe her too, but that doesn’t mean I have to 1. Agree with her broad strokes extrapolation to all other members of society and then 2. apply that logic to making public policy decisions like clearly failed abstinence education policies.
Comment by njt16 Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 1:54 pm
An abstinence-only approach leads to terrible outcomes, all the credible research shows. As well as commonsense. The prospect of someone who believes this in high office is scary.
Comment by Albany Park Patriot Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 2:06 pm
“I doubt that abstinence has anything to do with it.”- you can’t get pregnant if you aren’t having sex. This method is the only fool proof way. Also some studies have suggested a lower sex drive in gamers so there is probably less sex happening with our youth that are more into gaming and living on their smart phones.
Comment by Arock Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 2:12 pm
Actually phocion I was calling out her misogny.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 2:17 pm
Tell us more about what it is like to be an African American woman who was bulled and sexually harassed Wordslinger
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 2:18 pm
Because everyone knows abstinence is bad for you.
Comment by Saluki Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 2:22 pm
–I doubt that abstinence has anything to do with it.–
actually teen sex, alcohol and drug abuse are also down statistically. I think those are all factors that contribute to teen pregnancy being down. Along with the availability of contraception.
Comment by ugh Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 2:25 pm
–you can’t get pregnant if you aren’t having sex.–
Thanks for that breaking science news.
But the species is hard-wired for procreation, so I’m guessing education and access to birth control are significant factors.
–Because everyone knows abstinence is bad for you.–
I think it’s terrific that you can joke about your situation. Let a smile be your umbrella, and you’ll never need a raincoat.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 2:27 pm
Team Kwame must be getting desperate with this sort of hit piece.
That said, it’s quite hilarious to entertain what kind of AG Harold would be if all the Raoul vitriol/fearmongering were true. Can’t wait to see her 2022 campaign to ban sex in Illinois. /s
Comment by Anon312 Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 3:17 pm
spit_take.gif
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 3:50 pm
Her values were in line with Republicans of that era. Nothing shocking, nothing offensive. Today, we are more open to understanding victims of sexual exploitation / harassment.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 8:11 pm
–Her values were in line with Republicans of that era.–
Oh, for crying out loud. No nookie outside the holy bonds of matrimony was a “Republican value?”
C’mon man. That’s nonsensical jibber-jabber at odds with history and human nature.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 10:38 pm
I guess this means Harold is a virgin, yes?
Comment by filmmaker prof Wednesday, Oct 17, 18 @ 11:46 pm