Ann Olivarius
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annolivarius.bsky.social
Ann Olivarius
@annolivarius.bsky.social
Founding partner. US and UK employment, discrimination and sexual assault/abuse law. KC Hons. Feminist. She/Her.
Jingo and Monstrous Regiment are particular favorites of mine. Of course, as a lawyer, any book featuring Mr Slant.
September 19, 2025 at 7:44 PM
It's deeply gratifying that the judge saw through Clarke's claims of victimisation and his "well, it was funny at the time" defence.

A hopeful day for survivors, their lawyers and the brave reporters who investigate. Well done!
August 29, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Lucy Osborne and Sirin Kale did excellent and sensitive reporting, capturing all the complexities of why it's so difficult to be a victim of sexual harassment in the creative industries (and in any industry).
August 29, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Luckily, victims don't have to rely on the Church of England to do the right thing. If so, they'd be waiting a long time, the Church doesn't move fast to held itself accountable. In this case, the Crown Prosecution Service did a stellar job. When it can't or doesn't, victims can go civil.
August 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM
The sorry last chapter - when the scandal has broken and the perpetrator escaped accountability, there's instead a performative "reckoning", with little aftercare for the victims, much less compensation or justice.
August 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM
This is what a lawyer calls "notice". There's usually someone, somewhere, who sounded the alarm.

And they're usually ignored. Because, when you're a star, they let you do it.

Especially if the institution is faltering and desperate for a success.
August 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Victims (especially women) are conveniently always crazy, mentally ill, hysterical, vengeful, jealous or obsessed.
This gives those who should have acted an excuse to not act ("poor woman, she was awfully unwell, I understand").
August 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM
It's not abusive, creepy sex, it's, uh, a new "Post-modern definition of sexuality". What a relief!

It's profoundly difficult to go against a cult leader when you're in the cult. To be able to label wrong-doing as something else instead can be a relief.
August 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM
"Chrissnapping". Classic cult dynamic to normalise abuse by creating a cute moniker or developing specific in-group euphemisms.

Abuse is more readily accepted when it's called something else, by everyone else. This increases the plausible deniability for all involved.
August 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM