Erin Andrews bravery is remarkable

I applaud ESPN reporter Erin Andrews' incredible bravery in facing her stalker in court. Andrews didn't have any obligation to attend the proceedings, where he admitted to secretly video taping her in her hotel rooms. She could have had her lawyer read a letter to the court. But she chose to stand in the same courtroom and ask the judge to sentence him to the maximum penalty. It was an amazing and inspiring show of courage.

While the criminal court case soon will be over, her hurt and shame is something she may have to deal with for the rest of her life. Andrews admitted yesterday that she is still fearful, both in public and in her home, and humiliated by the experience. She also said that some insensitive sports fans have been tormenting her when she's on the sidelines. Those people know who they are and will have to answer for their abuse in due time. But Andrews continues focusing on what she can control: doing her job.

Andrews seems determined to make something positive come out of her experience by protecting other women who may be vulnerable to such abuse. Her lawyer has urged the hotel industry to take greater steps to protect their guests, which they failed to do with Andrews when one hotel gave her stalker a room next to her without alerting Andrews. As much as her public profile made this a more painful experience for her, she may also be able to use it to her advantage by publicly shaming these businesses to take action and encouraging state and federal lawmakers to pass and strengthen video voyeur laws to impose harsher punishment.

I hope Andrews is successful in this quest, which could help ease her pain.

Thanks to Aaron via Wikipedia for the photo.

Hope Erin Andrews nightmare is finally over

I felt incredible relief at the news of the arrest of the man who stalked ESPN journalist Erin Andrews and placed videos of her on the Internet. As a female journalist who often travels for work, I was shocked and appalled, not only by the gross violation of her privacy, but at the reaction by the paparazzi and other members of the media and blogosphere, where there were insinuations that Andrews concocted the entire incident for publicity purposes.

I can sympathize with Andrews because I know how hard it is to be a female journalist covering a male-dominated industry. All you’re focused on is trying to do your job the best way you can. Yet, you have to deal with problems your male co-workers never worry about, including being propositioned by sources. I once had to change beats after a key official in an industry I was covering hit on me and I turned him down. Unfair to say the least, but I knew it was the only choice as this person was in a position to really interfere with my work. And I’m incredibly grateful that I didn’t have to go through the public spectacle that Andrews had to deal with.

I know that the arrest of this man will generate renewed interest from the media in the story, but I hope that dies down quickly and she can really concentrate on doing her job covering college football for ESPN. I also hope that can finally regain the peace that existed in her life before this terrible incident. She deserves to be left alone to heal.

Thanks to Drew Shealy for the photo.