Asking for it
Sir: I believe Mr Johnson is wrong to sug- gest that modern womanhood is to blame for the presence of SHAs — sexual harass- ment advisers — on university campuses (And another thing, 16 October). He should blame the men, for the student male appears to be failing in his prime duty to women in universities, and that is to harass her properly, in the way women like being harassed.
It is not that women hate sexual harass- ment, it is just that they find certain types of harasser men— who leer, pinch, ogle, grope, loiter, tell childishly suggestive jokes, doggedly pursue, or make lewd and lecher- ous remarks of a base, Neanderthal variety — repugnant. Such forms of harassment are , short-term and arbitrary — even ad hoe. They display a want of wit, sensitivity and intelligence in the Oxford male. Oxford women deserve something better. Indeed, where is the man prepared to embark on a brave, impassioned and confi- dent harassment? A harassment in which desires words and actions are carefully ordered, intermingled and overlaid, with the Purpose of slow and beautiful seduction? Where is he who will transform, with wit and adoration, the fiercest fury from the pit political correctness into a doe-eyed !over, charmed and charming, freed from her sisters' clutches? Such a man has no ;fed of American checklists — 'can I undo .auttou No 2 of your blouse, please?' Like tile tamer of the Shrew, he knows what to cl°, when and how. Sadly, women at Oxford appear to be sfurrounded by loiterers with checklists tr,,°111 the University of Ohio — no wonder neY seek advice from their SHAs. Pqta Ham, II Connaught Square London W2
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