Last part of our current 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.
Reflecting on WitchSchool Canada's position, I find their approach to addressing sexual exploitation both responsible and actionable. As a community, when powerful men's misconduct is exposed, it often revives trauma for many, especially women and non-binary individuals. It's crucial for men, even those not implicated, to engage thoughtfully rather than distance themselves through denial or deflection. From my experience, speaking openly about these issues in everyday environments, like family gatherings or work conversations, can significantly shift attitudes. It’s uncomfortable but necessary. When men confront inappropriate jokes or excuses directly, it sets boundaries and discourages harmful discourse. This kind of leadership within personal circles helps cultivate safer spaces where survivors feel supported. Another vital step is consistent, genuine trust-building at home and with close relations. Sharing responsibilities fairly, addressing harmful behaviors promptly, and maintaining honesty creates a foundation of respect and safety. Small acts like checking in with loved ones about how these reports affect them are powerful signals of care. Importantly, WitchSchool emphasizes not shaming men indiscriminately but focusing on ending the systemic conditions that allow abuse to persist. This balances accountability with encouragement for positive change. In practice, this means fostering awareness and steady, respectful behavior rather than reactive blame. For men wanting to contribute, starting with a sincere acknowledgment—"I saw the reporting. It’s horrifying. How are you doing?"—can open channels for connection and healing. Moral clarity coupled with consistent action like refusing to accept sexist remarks or jokes helps disrupt toxic norms. Ultimately, repair involves humility and sustained commitment to support survivors and challenge harmful patterns in all social settings. WitchSchool Canada's message serves as a guidepost for men in the community to enact real change through empathy, clear boundaries, and ongoing dialogue.
