"The world has shifted, but the belief in the lack of credibility of women has not".

Trigger warning: rape and sexual assault.

- Doolittle presents a comprehensive look at the #MeToo movement from both sides, offering a voice and understanding to various lines of thought, whilst identifying her perceived short-comings and offering suggestions for the future. She encourages the reader not just to vilify, but to seek meaningful change for everyone. She took the current discussion a step further and offered a new angle of discussion.

- The conversation around consent was refreshing. Instead of recycling discussions, she addressed the weaknesses around the current resources. Consent should be marketed as the pleasure-enhancing tool it can be, instead of a legal term. Further, existing conversations focus on verbal cues - yet the average interaction emphasises non-verbal prompts. The answer? Adapt and get with the times. This idea is prominent throughout,

- I honestly have never considered the premise of rape myths and stereotypes and thank Doolittle for bringing this to my attention. Legal decisions are not based on perceived morals and ethics, but perspective and cases 'without doubt'. Whilst I find this infuriating and not possible, I recognise there isn't an alternative at this time. The nuance sold the book for me. Life isn't black and white and cancel culture removes the opportunity for redemption and real learning. Doolittle presented the former-judge who stepped down following pressure from his outdated victim-blaming judgement on a rape case. His response? To spend a year learning from leaders in the field and take full responsibility.

- The book wasn't a happy read. It wasn't easy to digest and it left a lot to be pondered. But it's definitely recommended reading. Certain areas were repetitive - for example all cases were female and intersectionality discussions felt thrown in at the end as opposed to relevant throughout. Overall though, a strong read.

4 / 5

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc in return for an honest review.

#HadItComing #NetGalley

I acknowledge that the books around the topic of #MeToo should not be easy, pleasant reads. After all, as readers, we are diving deep into the messed up world of rape culture. I truly appreciate Robyn Doolittle's approach but as someone unfamiliar with the author's previous work, I felt a bit confused and left out. Her previous investigative work was referenced a lot in the book and as important as it must have been, it didn't make reading "Had it Coming" easier.

I do appreciate, however, not shying away from grey areas of consent, introduction to Canadian laws and procedures, as well as acknowledging the intergenerational differences in approaching the subject of sexual assault allegations. What to me was missing, was a more intersectional approach to the subject. I don't know if it was a deliberate choice not to include race and class factors, but this is something that was definitely missing.