Numerous men accused of egregious sexual misconduct all have something in common — and it’s not a shared crisis publicist or luxurious Arizona rehab center.
Powerful men forcing women to watch them masturbate is a recurring accusation made against disgraced Hollywood players like Louis C.K., Harvey Weinstein, producer Brett Ratner and director James Toback.
The obvious violation aside, the act begs larger questions about the conscious and unconscious motives behind it. Assault, as we’ve seen in recent weeks and heard over decades in casting couch scenarios, typically involves unwanted touching of the victim (in the best of circumstances).
The forced masturbation move may be widely reported of late, but it’s still bizarre and shocking to hear.