Use psychologists in sex accusations

As a society, we are taking a big risk by accepting all accusations at face value. It is all too easy to convert accusation into conviction and that is never fair to either side.

Put in the simplest terms, women accuse men of sexual misconduct for four basic reasons: 1) an inappropriate response to wishful thinking about a relationship that never existed; 2) a serious event that really did happen; 3) a minor event that has festered in memory to become something much more serious in the accuser's mind; and 4) spite or malice. The accused must respond, either by accepting responsibility or denying the assertion. However, no one can ever prove a negative, so the accused is left in a very difficult position.

I am a woman who has experienced wishful thinking, sexual harassment and assault, so I understand the issues firsthand. There has got to be some reasonable way to resolve these disputes. I suggest it is time to bring in psychological experts to help sort out the thinking of both the accuser and the accused.

Parties on both sides need to be investigated to establish veracity and motive, allowing them to get help where needed. The #MeToo movement is mature enough to allow such scrutiny.

The more we can do to arrive at the truth, the better for all concerned.

Jamie Smith

Wheaton