It's never easy to have a public accusation of sexual harassment placed upon you, especially if you fully believe in your innocence. You may feel compelled, even justified, to retaliate on the accuser.Resist this temptation at all cost. If you need some support in doing so, look no further than James Franco. After five women stated that the Golden Globe actor made inappropriate and unwanted advances on them in exchange for promises of career advancement opportunities, he responded by stating... "I will hold back things that I could say because I believe in it that much that I have to take a knock because I'm not going to try to actively refute things then I will, because I believe in it that much."While I don't know if any truth to the allegations exists, Franco already committed a cardinal error in this kind of crisis communications. He publicly discounted and attacked his accusers. While Franco's approach - whether intended or not - may not sound so much like a direct counter-attack, most of America saw it in its proper, back-handed, passive-aggressive light. This basic rule is almost sacrosanct, for the person accused will get nothing in return. If you want a better example, look at how George Takei responded to a public, and as yet unsubstantiated sexual harassment accusation by a gentleman. That is how it's done.
