As the World Turns - MESSAGE BOARDS

Quote Cosmic Empress: I MUST take issue with the assessment of Allison's harssment suit. Harassment is harassment. A woman or man who is punished economically, professionally or socially for NOT sleeping with someone, and I don't care if it is post foreplay or pre-coital, is illegal and should not be allowed to happen. Anyone who believes Allison should have been kicked out of school, thrown off of patient care or even jeered at by other professionals for her behavior with Chris needs to look at what they are promoting. It is illegal, immoral and unethical to punish anyone professionally for their private and personal behavior.
We might as well go back to the Salem witch trials and the pillory or why not just brand an "A" on her forehead? Did the fact that she did not sleep with Chris make her less capable of treating patients? Was her act of semi-seduction effecting her ability to do her job? No. The rumors, innuendo and tension created by Chris actually was detrimental to patient care and his focus on his own ego had a delitorious effect on the hospital, its staff and the care of its patients.
The suit was justified, she should have won and Bob Hughes, the almighty protector of the family name, could have easily been shot down in flames for suggesting a negotiation with Allie to get her to drop charges. Kim could have and should have been named as well for promoting the rumor mill through town and most good lawyers would have gotten any attempt to bring up Allison's past history thrown out since it is NOT germaine to the question at hand, The porno film was never introduced into the situation, was not at issue and was never known until Chris brought it up. In fact, it could have been used against Chris in court since he could have been seen as using a past film as a form of blackmail to get Allie to go to bed with him. Chris was guilty of sexual manipulation and abuse. His tirade at her for being "crazy" when she couldn't go through with the act is evidence of his inability to deal with the word "no". His ego and testosterone ladden self-image were threatened and he had to punish Allie. Case closed.
I have spent my adult lifetime attempting to get people to stand up to this kind of crap . Women throughout the world have had everything from harsh physical attacks to psychological manipulation used against them to keep them under the thumb of immature and irrational men who are threatened by their confidence and ability.
Until all women understand the manipulations keeping them from achieving their goals and stop promoting those manipulations, we will continue to be oppressed. As sisters, we must stand up to it even when portrayed in soap operas, books and any media representation. The fact that ATWT did a story is good; The outcome, I question. The better outcome would have been a true jury trial and a stronger focus on the issue but then again....the writers themselves don't understand their own prejudice on the issue. They are a product of a paternally dominated society that until the 60's thought all women should be Donna Reed

Quote Plot-Twister: I have to say I am more with Cosmic Empress on this issue of sexual harrassment. I would have loved to see this storyline played out more for the drama of it all, but also for the educational possibilities.

As for Allison falling back in Chris' arms yesterday, I think after the scare she walked in on, she would have fallen into Satan's arms without thinking. Decker tried to kill her!

I do agree that Allie doesn't always think her actions through or acknowledge responsibility for everything (like blaming Chris for getting kicked out of nursing school - that was really on her and wasn't really the core of the lawsuit) but it doesn't dismiss that fact that sexual harrasment happens, and the character of the person that it happens to is irrelevant.

Quote pinknikki143: Let me first say that I am a raging feminist, so I in NO WAY condone sexual harassment or any kind of discrimination against women. My problem with Alison is that from the start, she gave Chris mixed signals and a bad attitude. On two occasions, she got partially naked with him, then pushed him away. It's not the fact that she didn't want to be intimate - that's her choice. But it is not okay to monkey around with someone's emotions. To say that you want to pursue a relationship, then constantly recant, is not right. She does the same thing with Aaron. He's so sweet and willing to help a damsel in distress. So she flirts with Chris, then runs to Aaron, making no serious commitment to either of them. Chris was wrong for lying in court, but he apologized sincerely, told her to continue nursing school, and even resigned. Allie refuses to relent, acting like an ice princess. As if she's never made a mistake. She's partly the reason why Dusty and Emily broke up, but someone forgave her. She has a terrible reputation, but someone forgave her. Maybe she should get off her high horse and at least make a step toward accepting Chris' apology. IMO, she always acted frosty with both Chris and Aaron, many times when it was uncalled for. Allie, Emily, and Susan are all a train wreck.

Quote Kristi: What bugs me most about Alison (at least lately) is her flip-floppiness. She wants Chris/She doesn't (and that isn't an excuse for him to kill her reputation at work) ... she leans on Aaron/She tells Aaron to back off ... She wants her mom to stand up for her/She wants her mom to ignore Chris cornering her at the hospital today. She is just toooooo all over the place. Needs to pick a side and stick with it.

Quote hurrikun:

I thought it was the core of the lawsuit. I mean, that was the issue all along (or so I thought and that was the discussion at the trial). Chris certainly committed perjury by lying about what he said to Brenda. But as I just wrote, I hardly consider "ending preferential treatment" by telling Brenda, "no more favors, do what you want", is sexual harassment. His sexual problems were his motive for his actions, to be sure, but since all this did was level the playing field whereby Brenda could treat Allison how she thought she should have been treated all along, it's not harassment.

As far as Doc Decker, let's not forget that Chris was instrumental in helping try to protect Allison and Susan from him back during his reign of terror. Rick had also tried to kill Bob and almost succeeded. Recall how many weeks Bob was laid up in the hospital and unable to speak. So, Chris and Allison both have a big history with him and a lot to fear.

Quote JOHNNYDUDE: I don't really have a problem with Decker he's new coming back and all we don't really need a history lesson of his past wahtever happened he's back now try to deal with it as adults that's it.As for Allie screaming blood cuddled screams boy she can be loud wow I had to check my ears but they are fine luckily.I wish she wouldn't scream but be more like tough and you know kinda stand up to him Decker.I think Decker is a kewl dude lol lol.

Quote Plot-Twister:

What prompted the lawsuit was the nursing program/preferential treatment. What would have won the lawsuit was the way Chris acted and the way he got her knocked off of patient care.

I would have totally loved to see this trial play out. But it didn't, so, oh well.

Quote hurrikun:

I thought the suit had already been made before she got taken off patient care. But I may be wrong on the order of events.