When thenews brokein the United States about a high - visibility uranology prof , Geoff Marcy , receive a lukewarmreprimandfor a bequest of sexual harassment against his students , you may have been surprised . I was not .

Why should we call up scientists are any different from everyone else ? The belittled issue of researchers who perpetrate these acts have convinced some that they are above reproach . The lack of personal and professional ramifications for their transgressions , in this case over many years , reward that estimate .

Physicist Andrew Robinson search this in a beautifully piece of critical analysis , Eminent scientist are Not Special Snowflakes .

Meanwhile , plenty ofscientists on Twitterswiftly denounced the astronomer .

Reading Alexander Graham Bell hooks today . This passing made me think of those who defend Marcy#fireMarcy#astroSHpic.twitter.com / cvokOr5Bix

— Enrique Suarez ( @SciEdHenry)October 11 , 2015

Hey , Professor . Unclear as to where your bridge player should be ? Here ’s the rule . Never deviate.#astroSH#GeoffMarcypic.twitter.com / A4Kl8TLbZW

— Grumpy Reviewer ( @GrumpyJReviewer)October 11 , 2015

Sadly many cases of@ucberkeleyscrewing up sexual molestation & assault cases ( e.ghttp://t.co/k3jkEaZ9RHhttp://t.co/Wre8XnoEJ5)#astroSH

— Jonathan Eisen ( @phylogenomics)October 10 , 2015

ethician Janet Stemwedelpointed out the research community ’s responseto the sexual harassment subject was stronger than that of his university , the University of California Berkeley .

scientist also took several media retail store to task for their coverage on the sheath .

This is how you cover in a agency that makes the job worse : http://t.co / OSAYY6vWsMShame on you,@nytimes#AstroSH

— Nicole Gugliucci ( @NoisyAstronomer)October 11 , 2015

I ca n’t quite put my finger on it , but one of these headlines is not like the others#astroSH>_>@NYTSciencepic.twitter.com/kQhUNwRsAm

— Katie Hinde ( @Mammals_Suck)October 12 , 2015

The newspaper headline on the firstarticleto expose the verdict on the harassment read “ Famous Berkeley Astronomer Violated Sexual Harassment Policies Over Many Years , University Investigation Finds . ” But this was modify to “ These woman Say A Famous Astronomer Sexually Harassed . ”

The original headline was later restore after an garboil from the research biotic community , as the change title shifted the inculpation from the perpetrator ( where it belongs ) to the victims .

I ca n’t say I ’m shudder that@BuzzFeedchanged it ’s headline in this finical way.#astroSHpic.twitter.com/3ioK75vIzU

— Janet D. Stemwedel ( @docfreeride)October 10 , 2015

— Virginia Hughes ( @virginiahughes)October 10 , 2015

The American Astronomical Society ( AAS ) declined to publish anopen letterfrom Marcy , grant to the AAS President , Meg Urry , because : “ I do n’t think we should be view as validating his letter . ”

Other professional society have already condemn his action , including theRoyal Astronomical Societyand theCommittee on the Status of Women in Astronomyfrom the AAS , although the Association itself has yet to formally comment at the time of publication . Apetition in backup of the victimswas produce by a group of astronomers , and is available online for anyone to contract .

A Systematic Problem

Last year , a studywas published by a group of research worker who looked at the preponderance of sexual harassment and assault in men and woman research worker .

I write then thatI was n’t surprisedthat the charge per unit of sexual fierceness the study detect was almost exactly the same as it is in thepublic . scientist are mass , first and firstly , and sexual violence occurs in our community , too .

woman in uranology face this challenge so often there are no less than34 blog entries about harassmenton the Women in Astronomy blog . A group calledAstronomy Alliesexists because of the inordinately high pace of sexual harassment towards women astronomers at scientific conference .

sure residential area are disproportionately affect by intimate violence , includingwomen of people of colour , especially autochthonal char ( who are more than twice as likely to know intimate violence ) , andtransgender persons . Policies plan to protect scientists from intimate molestation and rape should take particular care to support traditionally underrepresented groups .

honorable issues are cardinal to science : how we do science , and who does the science . Even without sexual molestation being involved , there ’s alreadytoo much air pressure that can lead to bad science .

A come up Tide Lifts All boat

What we really need are change to policy , as I indite about previously in the scientific journalNature . We require policies that help support subsister of intimate harassment in their professional lives after they are assaulted .

We need employee who chivvy and rape to be report and responded to suitably , as they would be in any other work . For victims of workplace ravishment and harassment , we demand to separate their work history from their ability , since one might not contemplate the other .

That has an issue on the funding system , since grant success currently relies on third-year researchers being endorsed by more senior scientists . We demand to build in support organisation to help with career growth when predator interfere , and supply financial backing for early - career investigator who are most vulnerable . We can implement other fashion to get and fund splendid scientists .

For those who have found harassment in our vestibule when you looked for scientific discipline - I ’m deeply sorry and hope you have find local accompaniment .

— Sarah Tuttle ( @niais)October 9 , 2015

Many of these policies could be craft in a way that helps the great unwashed recovering from other type of trauma or difficulty , also . insurance policy that target to increase fairness often benefit everyone , not just one group of people .

Community Matters

In many way , the coverage and subsequent community supporting for the victims makes me optimistic for uranology . statistic from the United States Department of Justice indicate66 % of assault and sexual assaultsare not reported to the police . Reporting sexual fierceness can bethe first steptowards large - weighing machine go-ahead to address the problem .

I talk about my experience as a rape survivor , because I care . I care about skill , and the researcher who conduct experimentation . Dialog helps glow a light on area where help is needed .

I am available for hysteria as needed.https://t.co/9qC3ub2tPx

— Maggie Hardy ( @DrMaggieHardy)October 11 , 2015

The paradigm needs to shift , to focus on the fact that sexual violence is about power andentitlement – not sex . I reject the premise that perpetrators can not control their desire and that their sexual desire is more important than consent .

I ’m not a counsellor , but I could be a use model and supporter . To other dupe of intimate assault or molestation , I believe you and stand with you . I welcome you to connect with me on Twitter@DrMaggieHardy .

In the United States , for more information about how to answer to and forestall intimate rape , see the White House websiteNot Alone . The Rape Abuse and Incest National web ( RAINN ) provide a list of sexual ferocity Pentateuch by state .

In Australia,1800 RESPECT(1800 737 732 ) is the National Sexual Assault , Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line for any one who has have , or is at jeopardy of , kinfolk and domestic wildness and/or sexual assault , andLifeline(131 114 ) provides home crisis support . Both operate 24 hours a day , seven days a workweek .

Maggie Hardy , Postdoctoral Research Fellow , The University of Queensland

This clause was in the first place published onThe Conversation . Read theoriginal clause .