In 2017, allegations against Harvey Weinstein prompted a worldwide witnessing of sexual harassment and abuse stories on social media. While #MeToo has empowered women, men, trans and queer survivors to speak out about their experiences of abuse, lawyers across the globe have got rich and busy. Like every progressive movement for change, there has been cultural and legal backlash.
Those brave enough to speak out have faced legal threats from those they accuse in courts that protect the powerful and the patriarchy. What happens when the law that is meant to protect us is, instead, used to silence?
Rich, privileged and powerful men have teams of lawyers at their disposal to suppress allegations and prevent newspaper stories from running. Individual women, frontline services, advocacy groups and journalists find themselves fighting against censorship. The weaponising of the law to silence survivors from speaking about their abuse, and anyone who might report on it, has been described as the ‘perverse twist’ of MeToo.
Leading human rights barristers Jennifer Robinson and Dr Keina Yoshida set out to investigate this global problem, drawing on the high-profile cases they have worked on and interviews with survivors of abuse. How Many More Women? will show readers just how difficult the law makes it for women to report their abuse, the impact it has on free speech and how survivors around the world can fight back.
Those brave enough to speak out have faced legal threats from those they accuse in courts that protect the powerful and the patriarchy. What happens when the law that is meant to protect us is, instead, used to silence?
Rich, privileged and powerful men have teams of lawyers at their disposal to suppress allegations and prevent newspaper stories from running. Individual women, frontline services, advocacy groups and journalists find themselves fighting against censorship. The weaponising of the law to silence survivors from speaking about their abuse, and anyone who might report on it, has been described as the ‘perverse twist’ of MeToo.
Leading human rights barristers Jennifer Robinson and Dr Keina Yoshida set out to investigate this global problem, drawing on the high-profile cases they have worked on and interviews with survivors of abuse. How Many More Women? will show readers just how difficult the law makes it for women to report their abuse, the impact it has on free speech and how survivors around the world can fight back.
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Reviews
'A stunning book; as vital as it is compelling. A powerful warning about how the justice system can be used to silence women, and why urgent change is needed: a must-read for women and allies alike.'
'This important book demonstrates how man-made laws and legal procedures bear down harshly and unfairly on women who try to exercise their free speech rights to complain about domestic violence and abuse. At a time when reform of defective laws of defamation and confidentiality is being considered in many English-speaking countries, the injustices eloquently described by these authors deserve special attention. Theirs is a book that should be read - with shame - by judges and politicians and with appreciation by news editors, journalists, and all concerned to enhance freedom of speech.'
'In forensic detail with real cases, Robinson and Yoshida show how far the law is trailing behind the zeitgeist of MeToo. The sheer scale of the problem is shocking - if you are a woman who likes to express your views, you need to read this book. If anyone can change things, in court or through the pages of this powerful book, it is these two fearless feminist lawyers.'
'Witty, gritty, insightful and true, this book is essential reading for all women. Robinson and Yoshida lay down the law, on law, in an accessible way, giving us the ammunition we need, not just to protect ourselves, but to go out there and win.'
'The nature of law is that it is made and secured by those who have power, which is why women are are still battering at its doors. This book is another brick through the windows of our legal systems: a brilliant, trenchant analysis of what is wrong with the law.'
'The authors show how a siloed approach to law, together with long outdated but persistent myths about women (particularly in relation to sexual violence and gender-based violence) perpetuates injustice in practice. Using case studies from across the globe, many involving their clients, the authors seek to break this silence, give women back their voice and show how change can and is happening. A fine example of feminist legal scholarship. It should be made essential reading for law students, trainee advocates and judges.'
'The oppression of women is a many-headed beast - commonly, as we defeat some, others emerge. How Many More Women? lifts the lid on the way the law is weaponised to silence women from speaking out about the violence and abuse they suffer. It is crucial reading for any person wanting to fight against all forms of gendered abuse.'
'The cases that come to court hold up a mirror that reflects what is going on in our societies. Two brilliant lawyers, experts in their field use these compelling cases to show us that despite all the campaigns and rhetoric this is still a world made by men for men. I hope this books encourages all who want a society where women have equal respect and equal power to accelerate our efforts to ensure that the next generation are not still writing brilliant but shaming books like this one.'