Experts on implications and impacts in wake of Harvey Weinstein scandal

October 18, 2017

The following University of Victoria experts are available to media to discuss the implications of gender power imbalances and inequality in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and allegations of sexual assault in the entertainment industry and beyond; about organized action against sexualized violence and sexual harassment; on what the ongoing media coverage reveals about the issues; and the impacts of social media including the #MeToo campaign:

Annalee Lepp (Dept. of Gender Studies) led the working group that developed UVic’s Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Policy. She is a former chair of the gender studies department at UVic and is an expert on issues related to sex workers, human trafficking and transnational migration. Lepp’s other research is on Canadian gender and legal history, including the history of domestic violence. Her availability is limited this week; please refer to media contacts at the end of this email for immediate response. (Email: alepp@uvic.ca)

Janni Aragon (Technology Integrated Learning / Dept. of Political Science) is an expert in feminist politics, gender politics, social media in political and cultural contexts, women and technology, and popular culture. She regularly teaches courses related to gender, pop culture and the portrayal of women in popular culture. She can also discuss social media trends. (Office: 250-721-8796 or jaragon@uvic.ca)

Laura Parisi (Dept. of Gender Studies) is the chair of the gender studies department at UVic and an expert in gender and international human rights. She can discuss the #Metoo social media campaign and other issues related to gender-based violence. Parisi is available 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. PDT this week. (Email: lparisi@uvic.ca)

Rachel Hope Cleves (Dept. of History) is an expert in gender, sexuality and violence in American history. She can discuss sex and power in American history, LGBTQ history and American women in history.