Among the biggest losers today - Al Franken's accusers.
It's well-established that victims of sexual harassment and assault have been, and continue to be, shamed, silenced and ridiculed. The #metoo movement has provided a needed catalyst to allow these victims the opportunity to be heard. It's a welcome paradigm shift which finally empowers otherwise voiceless women and men.
But is that enough? Is giving these victims a voice the best outcome? No. They should also be afforded the opportunity to confront their abusers and to be adequately compensated for their suffering - in whatever fashion is most appropriate.
However, Franken's accusers were not provided this remedy. None of them - especially those who chose to remain anonymous - achieved due process. The venue was available, and the proceedings had begun. They would have been, had they so desired, able to confront the Senator and demand redress. It didn't happen though, because such proceedings would have been "difficult". The hell with that.
If that's the ultimate outcome of this current chapter, it was a wasted opportunity. One very tiny step forward, when the chance to make a giant leap was offered up on a gilded platter.
Is this the precedent established today? Will other victims be constrained to be mere voices of outrage, or will they be able to confront their abusers in a public setting? If it's not the latter, then what's truly been accomplished?
= new reply since forum marked as read
FTR, I unequivocally believe that this was a well-orchestrated smear campaign. And because there will never be - as far as we can determine - a public airing of these grievances, I'll likely maintain that perspective. I suspect many others are like me.
Maybe my mind might have been changed, had the scheduled hearing taken place. Maybe these women would have been vindicated - perhaps even compensated. But we'll never know, I presume.
Guess that's just another unintended consequence. 
