Our position on the ‘files’
Our Witch School Canada Position:
A note to the men in our community
Many of you have seen the recent wave of reporting about wealthy and powerful men, and the sexual exploitation that was enabled by money, access, status, and silence. For women, young women, and non-binary peoples. Some of these details are hard to hold in the mind, let alone the body.
WitchSchool wants to be clear about two things at the same time.
First: if you’re a man reading this and thinking, “That’s not me,” we believe you. Many and most men in our community are decent and caring people.
Second: in moments like this, women, femmes, and many non-binary people can feel the familiar tightening. The “of course.” The anger. The grief. The old memories. The tyranny of the past doings. Even if we’ve never met 'those' men, the pattern is recognizable. It touches lived experience.
So this is not a post about internet spectacle. It’s a request for real, grounded support from you.
To the good men: please don’t bypass this moment.
Not with jokes. Not with silences. Not in your circles. Not at your dinner tables with your daughters, mothers, sisters, wives. & please don't use “not all men” as the first reflex -not at this time in our history. We already know “not all men.” What we need is: moral clarity out loud, say it outloud to them, and have steady behaviours / predictable patterns right about now.
Here are practical things that help:
1) Say the simple sentence
“I saw the reporting. It’s horrifying. I’m sorry this is in the air again. How are you doing?”
That sentence signals safety more than you might realize.
2) Speak to other men
Quietly, directly, in your actual life. Group chats, work, family dinners, the casual spaces.
When someone minimizes, deflects, mocks, or turns it into gossip, say:
“No. We’re not doing that.”
“That’s not funny.”
“Stop defending men with power.”
“Consent is basic.”
"Its all over the news and it scary -lets not just bypass it"
3) Be specific about what you will not tolerate
Sexist jokes. “She’s asking for it.” "They all just get dressed up, get drunk and go home with someone". Compliments that are really pressure ' youre acting irrational' 'smile or be more friendly' . Fixation on the very young people. Disrespect toward service workers. Homophobia. Transphobia.
Draw a line. Hold it. Be that guy.
4) Build trust at home through daily life
A public stance means little if private life stays unchanged. Share mental load. Handle what needs handling without being asked. Notice what makes the home feel safe or unsafe. Repair quickly when you mess up. Keep your word.
We are not interested in shaming men. We are interested in ending the conditions that allow harm to repeat.
If you’re a man reading this: thank you for staying with it. If you want to know what to do, start small and real: speak clearly, speak to other men, and be steady in your closest relationships.
That is what repair can look like.
In reflecting on the WitchSchool.ca position regarding the recent revelations about sexual exploitation involving wealthy and powerful men, it becomes clear that accountability and compassion must come from all parts of society. As someone who has engaged in community discussions on these issues, I appreciate how WitchSchool stresses the importance of the everyday man stepping up with moral clarity rather than retreating into defensiveness or silence. One effective approach I've seen in real life is fostering open conversations among men, not only to challenge harmful jokes or excuses but also to encourage honest self-reflection on privilege and power dynamics. By addressing sexist attitudes and behaviors in casual settings—be it a group chat, workplace, or family dinner—men can visibly demonstrate that harassment and exploitation are non-negotiable and unacceptable. Moreover, the emphasis on building trust at home deeply resonates. Sharing the mental and emotional load in personal relationships and prioritizing safety and respect establishes a foundation that can ripple outward. When men take responsibility to listen, validate feelings, and act consistently with their words, it creates a culture of accountability that diminishes the conditions allowing harm to persist. Practically, repeating simple affirmations like "I saw the reporting. It’s horrifying. How are you doing?" can provide unseen support to those affected or distressed by such news. It signals awareness and care without requiring one to have all the answers. WitchSchool’s stance rightly avoids shaming men as a group, recognizing that many are allies. The call is for sustained, intentional efforts—small, consistent actions—that build towards repair and systemic change. This personal, grounded encouragement offers a hopeful roadmap for men willing to engage meaningfully. In our journeys, it's crucial to remember that changing cultural habits is challenging but essential. By holding steady on boundaries against sexism, homophobia, and transphobia, and by embracing empathy and accountability, we contribute to safer, more inclusive spaces where exploitation does not find refuge.
