Do the Lewinsky allegations raise sexual harassment issues?
A. Nobody is suggesting that Clinton forced himself upon Lewinsky or threatened her job – which would clearly constitute illegal sexual harassment. The sexual relationship Lewinsky reportedly describes in taped conversations was consensual. But some experts on gender issues argue that there is no such thing as a truly consensual relationship when one person has power over the other, because the “power differential” inherently raises the possibility of favoritism or punishment. In Washington, where there is a long history of sexual relationships between powerful men and women who work for them, the Lewinsky matter has led some people to question whether such relationships should be tolerated. Q. I have another question! A. Send it to politics@washingtonpost.com and we may add it to this list.
