The harrowing tale of an abused woman.


By Joe Millis
January 8, 2011
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This is an excellent piece of journalism. Well done, Jenni.
Love this bit

For her, this thesis, now to be expanded into a book, has helped her deal with the central question - why did she keep silent for so long?
"The amount of denial in sexual harassment cases is unbelievable," she says. "In my case I've been in denial for 20 years. When I heard the verdict being read out, only then did I understand the level of denial I had felt. It was an immense feeling of relief and happiness -- the sort of happiness you feel as a child when you think that the world is a good place to live in.
"They tried to doubt us, why we did not speak out. It is a sad case without a real resolution. Even if you bring justice out, the scar remains.
"But I still think that there are a lot of men who think that this guy was unlucky to be caught. As Israelis, we should be very proud of such a verdict against Katzav. But we are still not at the stage where we think as a society that sexual harassment should not happen in the workplace."

COMMENTS

Kahina

8 January, 2011 - 20:09

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I haven't been following this case closely, but as a woman, there are certain things that don't ring true.

If you're a woman whose been raped you don't call your rapist and say "My life is over - you have a life, I don't - how about $250,00?"

It sounds more like they had an affair, she started making demands, and he decided to finish it and she took it badly. Why did she continue working for Katsav after she had allegedly been raped? Why did she come to his hotel and go up to his hotel room after already being allegedly raped by this man?? It just doesn't make sense.

Katsav has only just learned that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Joe Millis

8 January, 2011 - 20:16

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Not sure that is the case, kahina. After all, katsav did have power and there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that the women who eventually complained were not the only ones abused by this man. Maybe she asked for money as the only way to disengage from this monster. When that failed she went to the police.
Any way katsav was hoisted by his own petard when he refused a cushy plea bargain and when he went thermo-nuclear at a press conference.

Kahina

8 January, 2011 - 20:29

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Like I said, I haven't been following it closely, and I'm certainly not defending him, but why ask for money for disengagement? It's not something women do. No, she got dumped and wanted revenge. She had stuff that she could blackmail him with and wanted money not to reveal it.

I think Katsaz was too high on his power and didn't think the police, in his position, would turn on him when he reported her for blackmailing him.

Joe Millis

8 January, 2011 - 20:34

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Kahina, some people act strangely while under stress. Who knows what was going through Alef's mind when she approached him for the money. In the end, it was Katsav's hubris which brought about his own downfall. Thank God for small mercies.

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