When Skirt-Chasing Was Legal

Today, approximately 15,000 sexual harassment cases are brought to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) each year. There was a time, not so long ago, when violent skirt-chasing was not only legal, it was expected if not condoned. Many of those women had no options except to take it and smile. And then what? Where did they go? What happened?

We've come a long way baby...or have we? Despite our enlightened age and the remedies available, current surveys indicate that 62% of sexual harassment targets still take no action on their own behalf.

The silence may continue for many, but not for Susan Cook. A sheltered small town girl, she left home after college graduation for her first big job, moving across 3 states to begin an insurance career in Salt Lake City, Utah. When her 50 year old alcoholic boss invited her to the opera her second week of employment, she thought she had to go. When he sexually assaulted her later that evening, and then launched it into a full-fledged affair the next day, she thought she had no other choice. 18 months later, her survival skills kicked in as she recruited his boss' boss to be her husband. He provided an escape from the awful abuse and a safe home. And even though her husband was in a position to professionally hurt her tormentor, she never told.

20 mostly romantically barren years later (and 1 failed marriage), she is telling. TheDare.net diaries the relationship between she and her boss from start to finish with maps of their office and photos of where she lived and where he lived, and even her college diploma, denoting the end of her innocence and graduation into real life.

They say we're only as sick as our secrets. It doesnt have to be that way. It's ok to tell. Even if a big legal settlement does not await. Your spirit does