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6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

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Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#21

Post by hmahncke »

_m8fo wrote: post #2

In these situations how are things actually proved? Is it just a "he said, she said" situation? In any case, it's a bold move to go on record, though I'm curious what difference it actually makes. EDIT: Ah, it seems going on record is necessary to actually bring charges to someone.

You could ask his employer, which said "...while The Information had found a few examples which show that Justin has in the past occasionally dated or flirted with women he met in a professional capacity , let’s be clear: there is no evidence that Justin did anything illegal and there is no evidence that any of his investing decisions were affected by his social interests.”

So it happened, it's just that he doesn't realize how wildly unacceptable it was.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#23

Post by cuckcuckspruce »

vkou wrote: post #17
sillysaurus3 wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When it involves rich or powerful people, the ability to get many she-said's becomes easier. I know this is an unpopular opinion, but due process exists for a reason. We should reserve judgement until the investigation progresses further.

When it involves serial harassers, the ability to get many she-saids becomes easy, too. Do you really think that founders are lining up to put their personal and professional reputation on the line, to smear this guy, as part of a vast female conspiracy? They have fucking text messages to back their story up. Are those easy to fabricate too, when it comes to rich and powerful people?

That's exactly why we have due process - to evaluate evidence in an impartial and equitable way. GP's point was more about due process than anything else, so could you extend the assumption of good faith to their comment and engage with that point?

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#24

Post by iagreeentirely »

davidu wrote: post #22

This is disgusting, pathetic, and predatory. It also has a long-term chilling effect on women in technology and entrepreneurship. I am surprised by the lack of outrage over this behavior.

At the moment it's allegations. The outrage should come after evidence is uncovered.

Not that it will matter in the end. Recent events have shown that you can flat out admit to drugging women in order to have sex with them and still be acquitted if you have adequate stature and fame. (Ok, I should be more fair. A mistrial is not an acquittal.)

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#25

Post by Alex3917 »

lmkg wrote: post #20
_m8fo wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are texts really an example of "sexual assault?" My understanding was that sexual assault had to be physical, though I may (probably) be wrong. EDIT: Thanks for the clarification, all. As many have pointed out, there's also the harassment portion. I guess my question is now: how do you prove intent? I know nothing about due process, so I'm curious. I suppose in this case it really matters what it says in the texts.

Texts would be an example of "sexual harassment." Some types of sexual assault can be proven by medical examination, if the exam happens soon after, although many actions that qualify as sexual assault will either not show up on an exam, or can be proven to be "sexual" but not "assault." However, in cases like this where there is an ongoing relationship before and after the incident, the text messages will often refe…

> Texts would be an example of "sexual harassment."

Sexual harassment law only applies to the workplace.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#26

Post by sillysaurus3 »

vkou wrote: post #17
sillysaurus3 wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When it involves rich or powerful people, the ability to get many she-said's becomes easier. I know this is an unpopular opinion, but due process exists for a reason. We should reserve judgement until the investigation progresses further.

When it involves serial harassers, the ability to get many she-saids becomes easy, too. Do you really think that founders are lining up to put their personal and professional reputation on the line, to smear this guy, as part of a vast female conspiracy? They have fucking text messages to back their story up. Are those easy to fabricate too, when it comes to rich and powerful people?

No, I don't. But do you think it's reasonable to crucify him before any investigation happens?

My comment was a bit too female-focused. It wasn't about she-said's or a female conspiracy, but rather the ease of getting people to smear someone that has enemies.

It's hard not to notice that the claim of sexual harassment is as equally damaging now as being called a communist was in the 50's. It's obviously quite different, but the damage is identical. And when it comes to something so powerful, we should at least respect due process.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#27

Post by dsfyu404ed »

davidu wrote: post #22

This is disgusting, pathetic, and predatory. It also has a long-term chilling effect on women in technology and entrepreneurship. I am surprised by the lack of outrage over this behavior.

Guaranteed eyeball time/clicks because of "public outrage" is exactly why journalists cover this stuff in the first place.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#28

Post by dragonwriter »

_m8fo wrote: post #5
asdfologist wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The second paragraph said he sent texts. Texts can be verified.

Are texts really an example of "sexual assault?" My understanding was that sexual assault had to be physical, though I may (probably) be wrong. EDIT: Thanks for the clarification, all. As many have pointed out, there's also the harassment portion. I guess my question is now: how do you prove intent? I know nothing about due process, so I'm curious. I suppose in this case it really matters what it says in the texts.

> Are texts really an example of "sexual assault?"

He is accused of sexual assault and harassment. The particular harassment is, in principle, more readily demonstrable (though perhaps not legally actionable, “sexual harassment” short of assault isn't always illegal, though it may well be newsworthy, without an employment relationship.)

OTOH, in the case of a VC against people seeking funding, some forms of what would analogous to quid pro quo sexual harassment in employment could shade into the crime of soliciting prostitution.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#29

Post by ithinkinstereo »

_RPM wrote: post #9
radicalbyte wrote: post #7

One of the girls interviewed on Startup Podcast mentioned that a VC propositioned her; like these girls she was Asian. I wonder if this guy is the same alleged pervert?

All of his victims are Asian in this case.

As is his wife.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#30

Post by vkou »

cuckcuckspruce wrote: post #23
vkou wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When it involves serial harassers, the ability to get many she-saids becomes easy, too. Do you really think that founders are lining up to put their personal and professional reputation on the line, to smear this guy, as part of a vast female conspiracy? They have fucking text messages to back their story up. Are those easy to fabricate too, when it comes to rich and powerful people?

That's exactly why we have due process - to evaluate evidence in an impartial and equitable way. GP's point was more about due process than anything else, so could you extend the assumption of good faith to their comment and engage with that point?

I'm not a court of law, I'm not locking him up in a prison, and I don't need proof of guilt beyond an unreasonable doubt to take these allegations seriously.
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