Silicon Valley’s “Pervert List” Sparks New Allegations

Since the recent disclosure about a spreadsheet circulating in Silicon Valley that lists over 100 alleged sexual predators—including well-known investors and businessmen—eleven more women have come forward with their own stories of sexual assault in the tech industry. These women expressed a desire to share their experiences and be included on the list.

A source knowledgeable about the tech scene described a troubling dynamic, noting, “There are these men in tech who act as power brokers and sexual abusers, trading favors and covering for each other.” This insider drew a parallel to an “Epstein-like network,” emphasizing that what has come to light may only be the beginning of a much larger issue.

One woman reported that her alleged assailant hacked her phone and misused her personal information against her. Meanwhile, another, a former private banker, detailed her experience of being terminated after she reported a sexual assault by a colleague while working at a bank in Singapore. She stated that the case was closed before she could present additional evidence, leaving her without any legal recourse and struggling to find employment in the Middle East. “Nobody will hire me anymore,” she said, visibly upset.

Tracy DeTomasi, CEO of Callisto—a nonprofit based in San Francisco that established a platform for connecting survivors with shared experiences—highlighted the urgent need for women to communicate about potential offenders. “Women are trying to find a way to protect themselves. Who’s trying to stop the men?” she questioned, expressing frustration that existing measures to confront abusive behaviors are insufficient in various sectors, including tech, academia, and government.

DeTomasi added that it’s critical to address not only the perpetrators but also enablers who may be complicit by turning a blind eye. “You might not be the one that’s sexually assaulting somebody, but are you laughing when it happens? Are you doing business deals with this person?” she pondered.

For those speaking out against influential men, the risks can be daunting. The insider recounted the ways in which victims could be tracked or even have their homes invaded. “People getting tracked, people’s homes getting broken into… things getting hacked, surveilled,” they specified.

Unfortunately, Callisto, which had launched in 2018 and allowed survivors to anonymously document their attackers, stopped accepting new users this past July, citing funding issues. This closure follows a period during which around 4,000 survivors opened accounts, with existing users now able to log in merely to manage their records. DeTomasi remarked, “There’s no money in sexual assault. There really just isn’t,” bemoaning the decline of many victim advocacy organizations due to funding cuts.

Interestingly, Callisto’s platform was inclusive; around 13% of its users were men reporting sexual assault incidents. The insider also pointed out the troubling interactions in the Bay Area’s gay community, where mentorship can sometimes blur into coercive relationships. They described a scenario where initial goodwill shifts into a dynamic of control and power.

The original creators of the Silicon Valley list chose to remain anonymous, voicing concerns over privacy and the risk of their personal information being compromised. Various versions of such lists have existed throughout the Bay Area, but their potential to spread unverified accusations necessitates careful management.

Reflecting on past initiatives, one notable list named “Shitty Media Men,” aimed at exposing individuals in journalism, spread rapidly before being taken down within hours. One man on that list, Stephen Elliott, contested the allegations and pursued legal action against its creator, with the case only settling years later.

In California, resources dedicated to preventing sexual violence remain scarce. Only 16 organizations receive funding specifically aimed at addressing this problem. As David S. Lee from VALOR noted, “We do not see the level of commitment necessary to properly support survivors and address the high rates of violence.”

The Bay Area Women Against Rape, one of the longest-serving crisis centers in the nation, closed its doors last year after 54 years and saw its state funding redirected to other initiatives.

Those who have reached out to share their experiences with The Post have been directed to appropriate resources, including local rape crisis centers. One tech industry professional voiced a hopeful sentiment: “We need another MeToo movement for the tech community.”