Content Warning: This article mentions abuse and assault

A recent article by the BBC exposed Kent police officer Jonathan Pearce, for sending flirtatious messages to a survivor of attempted rape. While this abuse of power is horrific, it is not an isolated issue, with similar situations occurring far too regularly as some powerful men use their positions in order to manipulate vulnerable women.

This instance of Pearce seemingly abusing his power raises the issue of who to turn to when those who serve to protect are failing. According to research by the U.S. Department of Justice, only 27% of female domestic abuse survivors and 13.5% of male survivors report the crimes to the police, already highlighting the distrust of law enforcement due to the risk that the perpetrator will never be charged.  This already puts survivors of domestic abuse in a very vulnerable position where the risk of notifying the police has to be carefully weighed up, resulting in fear of further violence from the abuser. When incidents such as Pearce’s appeared misconduct are then brought to light, it only increases the risks to survivors since the police, who are meant to protect them, may exploit them. 

Another example of the abuse of power by law enforcement agents is that of Ken Kratz, one of the ‘stars’ (I use that term very loosely) of Netflix’s Making a Murderer. Kratz was the prosecutor for the Steven Avery trial but was forced to resign after a sexting scandal came to light. Similarly to Pearce, Kratz had been sending sexually suggestive messages to a survivor of domestic abuse, whose abuser he was meant to be prosecuting. The victim said that she was ‘afraid that if she [did not] do what he want[ed], Kratz [would] throw out her whole case,’ emphasising the impossible position these women are put in – they are forced to endure this predatory behaviour out of fear that they could put themselves in further danger from their abusers. These examples truly highlight the extent of the abuse of power as these women are exploited sexually and have no one else to turn to – after all, if the law is not on your side, where else do you go?

These examples show abuse of power on a much more severe scale, regarding law enforcement, however, I would argue that women are constantly put in this vulnerable position, often in the workplace. From my own experience waitressing in a pub, I was very aware that if a man was making inappropriate comments, I was stuck – I never wanted to make a scene for fear of losing my job. While this is partially the responsibility of the employer to ensure a workplace where staff feel safe to share about if they are made to feel uncomfortable, it also is a consequence of the kind of shame that comes with inappropriate advances. There is a fear that you have potentially led them on in some way, or that you are simply overreacting and they are being friendly; women are so often characterised as emotional and overdramatic, it creates a fear of enforcing that stereotype from what may have been a meaningless interaction. But at the time it does not feel meaningless. It feels scary and objectifying and disgusting. These advances are not welcome but because of the position you are in, you are unable to do anything. This highlights an undetected abuse of power resulting from the patriarchy. Even in a non-professional environment, simply walking down the street exposes women to catcalling, with 66% of girls between 14-21 having experienced this. Not only does catcalling create the concern that they might act on their threats, but it simultaneously causes distress over whether to respond or simply keep walking; usually resulting in the latter out of fear for personal safety.

The abuse of power towards, and the consistent sexualisation of women is prevalent in all areas of society, whether that be socially, professionally, or in extreme cases in the very institutions which are meant to prevent these crimes. Unfortunately, I do not think that there is a quick fix for these problems – the sexualisation of women will take years to unlearn as a society, however, there are steps we can take to reduce the damage. For starters, more severe punishment for those in positions of power who do exploit women, particularly law enforcement and politicians. Additionally, we need better support for anyone being harassed, even if it is simply by pretending to be their boyfriend in a club, or by walking women home in potentially dangerous situations. While these are not ideal in the long-term, they will go a long way in helping make women feel safer in potentially vulnerable positions.

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