Strauss-Kahn Case Illuminates Violence Against Women Issue

May 19, 2011

By Lisa Bennett, Communications Director

Just hours after NOW's demonstration in front of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) calling for the resignation of Dominique Strauss-Kahn from his position as managing director, the chief did, in fact, resign.

Strauss-Kahn was taken into police custody on May 14, accused of sexually assaulting a woman who worked as a housekeeper at the New York hotel where the French economist and politician was staying. Prior to his arrest, Strauss-Kahn was thought to be a strong candidate to become the next president of France.

Called "the great seducer" for his reputation as a sexual aggressor, some of the stories about Strauss-Kahn went beyond typical "ladies' man" behavior. The Washington Post reported that the IMF ordered an investigation of Strauss-Kahn not long after he became head of the organization. The IMF board determined that he made a "serious error in judgment" but essentially gave him a pass.

However, according to the Wall Street Journal, the woman employee he had pursued had this to say in a letter to the investigators: "I was unprepared for the advances of the Managing Director of the IMF. I did not know how to handle this; as I told you I felt 'I was damned if I did and damned if I didn't,'" according to the Wall Street Journal. She added: "I fear that he is a man with a problem that may make him ill-equipped to lean an institution where women work under his command."

As additional stories emerge, the picture developing is not that of a lusty lover of women (a cliché that has its own problems), but someone with contempt for women, a potential criminal who has long escaped justice.

One woman, who was reluctant to go to the authorities at the time of her alleged attack, reported that Strauss-Kahn attempted to rape her in 2002. Who knows how many other women were afraid to stand up to such a powerful man?

In press statements and a piece for the Huffington Post, NOW President Terry O'Neill pointed out how this case illuminates many of the ongoing challenges in addressing violence against women. These hurdles include a society that continues to write off inappropriate sexual conduct as "boys will be boys" behavior; the routine blaming and shaming of women who report sexual assault; the understandable distrust many women, particularly women of color and those in the LGBT community, have for law enforcement; and the lack of resources to make a real difference.

The seriousness of the response to allegations against Strauss-Kahn case is encouraging. Today a grand jury indicted Strauss-Kahn on several counts, including committing a criminal sex act, attempted rape and sexual abuse. And although a judge just granted him bail, Strauss-Kahn will be under house arrest, according to The New York Times, with an armed guard posted outside, and a waiver of extradition on file just in case he pulls a Polanski.

Read NOW's Huffington Post piece on the larger issue.

See Terry O'Neill speak at the IMF demonstration.

Check out photos from the demonstration