#Metoo

A struggle for social recognition and justice

Abstract

In the article Honneth’s theory of social recognition and Frickers’ theory of epistemic injustice is used to analyse testimonies of sexual harassment. The study is based on a content analysis of the testimonies about sexual harassment that are included in the 65 Swedish #metoo calls. Those who testified talk about what, with help of Honneth’s theory, can be described as a systematic withholding of social recognition. They are denied solidarity and rights through sexualized physical and psychological abuse, which has a negative impact on their basic self-confidence, self-respect, and self-esteem. In practice, the actions of the perpetrators result in both personal suffering for the women who has been subjected to sexual harassment and to the exclusion of them from social contexts. The latter takes place by the women either leaving the context in which they have been subjected to sexual harassment or to their participation in the context being conditional. For example, they must refrain from telling what they have been through or they lack support when they do. In the article, the difficulty of mobilizing support for those who are subjected to sexual harassment is interpreted as an effect of epistemic injustice.