A.

I am a early career scientist. I love my work but my negative experiences are grinding down my resolve to continue in this carreer.

A few years ago I was raped by a man I considered my friend at a conference and since then I suffer from panic attacks prior to attending scientific meetings. At a conference this year I was groped by a company rep while walking between seminars. The majority of attendees at that same conference attended a wet t shirt competition at the hotel bar. When I wrote to the organising committee to complain they brushed off my complaint.

I have also experience sexual harrassment and attempted rape from the manager of the facilities where I conduct my research. As he held me down on the floor he told me “I can do anything I want and there is nothing you can do about it”. Following the assault I had to go to work every day with him. It appears he has done similar things to multiple female students, including getting one former student pregnant.

This week I will file a written report of his behaviour to protect other female students on this farm and to prove him wrong.
NO he can’t do anything he wants – not to me and not to other women – and YES, there is something I can do about it.