She Said

Explain the methods Weinstein and his retinue employed to stop Kantor and Twohey’s investigation. Use specific examples to support your explanation.

At the beginning of their book, Kantor and Twohey ask why their story about Weinstein’s abuse caused a flood of women to come forward with their own stories of harassment and assault in the workplace. What is the answer to that question?

In the final chapters of the book, Kantor and Twohey write about Christine Blasey Ford’s accusations of assault against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, which came in the wake of their reporting on Weinstein. How was the Ford case different from the case against Weinstein, and what were the implications of her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee?

At the book’s end the authors point out that if victims do not share their experiences, no change will occur. What is your reaction to this conclusion? Should victims of harassment or sexual assault always speak out?

What is the significance of the book’s title, She Said? Evaluate the authors’ reasons for choosing this title, using evidence from the book to support your assertions.

Kantor and Twohey argue that “Journalists had stepped in when the system failed, but that wasn’t a permanent solution” (188). They likewise note, “The public did not fully agree on the precise meaning of words like harassment or assault, let alone how businesses or schools should investigate or punish them” (188). What is your reaction to this systemic problem and how might institutions and corporations address it?

Christine Blasey Ford was exceptionally hesitant to publicly tell her story of sexual assault. Why? What factors influenced her decision to speak before the Senate Judiciary Committee?

Much of She Said involves Kantor and Twohey’s search for corroborating evidence backing the claims of Weinstein’s accusers, but the authors also present a sympathetic account of Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony, which did not undergo this lengthy journalistic process. What does the book suggest the role of a journalist is in cases of sexual assault or harassment? Are there times when personal, firsthand narratives are more important or powerful?