Defining Sexual Misconduct

Defining Sexual Misconduct: Power, Media, and #MeToo
by Stacey Hannem and Christopher J. Schneider
Published by University of Regina Press
Review by Toby A. Welch
$34.95 ISBN 9780889778092

As Defining Sexual Misconduct is published by University of Regina press, I knew before I even started page one that I was in for a fact-based read that dove extremely deep into the subject matter. I wasn’t wrong.

This bookby Stacey Hannem and Christopher J. Schneider takes a handful of high-profile sexual misconduct cases and delves deep into how they are framed by the news media. Readers then get to see how survivors are treated – often horrifically – and the after-effects. The book focuses primarily on the coverage of allegations against former Canadian media personality Jian Ghomeshi, Bill Cosby, Donald Trump, Harvey Weinstein, as well as two comedians: Aziz Ansari and Louis C.K. It also goes into detail about the Weinstein Effect: the phenomenon where some men (Trump, for example) seem impervious to sexual misconduct allegations whereas others (such as the man that the phenomenon is named for) do not. This is fascinating reading!

Two other areas that Defining Sexual Misconduct explores are the #MeToo movement and Indigenous women. I’d forgotten how the #MeToo movement started and it was helpful to get a refresher on how the practice of women publicly naming and shaming the perpetrators of inappropriate sexual misconduct began (we have Alyssa Milano to thank for that.) And we read about the “change makers,” the Indigenous men and women who shared their experiences with the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. The sexual violence and sexual misconduct that Indigenous women and girls have endured needs to be acknowledged. 

I am only slightly exaggerating when I say that the notes and bibliography section of this book take up as many pages as several lengthy chapters combined. That is a good thing as it means the material is heavily researched and backed. I love that in a nonfiction book as it amps up the credibility level. It also provides a valuable list of where else you can find more resources on the topic if the book leaves you wanting more. 

Defining Sexual Misconduct was a bit disheartening at times as it drove home how far we have to go to reach a point where victims of inappropriate or unwanted sexual conduct feel safe to come forward. But it was also positive and uplifting in terms of showing how far the media industry, the online world, and some people’s thinking have come when it comes to sexual misconduct. It’s a never-ending fight for justice but progress is being made. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever been on either end of sexual misconduct and those who want to know more about the topic.

THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR FROM WWW.SKBOOKS.COM