Comment by tryonenow

Look, both accounts read like naive women who accepted favors from a mentor-like figure and did not say "no" to advances. The other accuser starts her letter by admitting that she and Pretty were in an "on and off" long distance relationship. I think a significant component of the discomfort that these women feel is a manifestation of a sort of social indoctrination, wherein young women are led to believe that historically normal and mutually beneficial relationships are somehow dehumanizing because of a power dynamic. There is also an underestimation of the amount of clout and positive attention that accusers receive from communities for coming forward, and vicious, public condemnation of anyone who dares to question the stories or claimed harm to the alleged victims.

Humans are biologically predisposed to trade sexual access for favors. I believe the harm that many victims claim to have experienced is mostly or purely a manifestation of social conditioning and sometimes clout chasing where claims are exaggerated or fabricated. Blindly believing alleged victims carries a significant risk of victimizing otherwise innocent people and we need to move back to some middle ground. Especially considering the biologically determined nature of human sexual interaction - which is never black and white and, frankly, has always been a game of overcoming reluctance. Hesitating and not saying NO cannot be treated the same way as overt rape without criminalizing desirable (for both men and women) sexual interaction. Yes, the chase is extremely important, for both sexes, and we see the same dynamics throughout the animal kingdom.