Don’t meet Joe O'Brien, the fattest piece of shit to embarrass the male gender.
(http://i42.tinypic.com/9ps0w2.jpg)
He raped Justine Arreche during a Ruby conference at CodeMash.
At some point, it was suggested that I do a body shot. I’ve never done one in my life but at the insistence of many people, attendees and bartenders I decided to lay on the bar. I just wanted to prove myself as one of the gang. Someone who was up for anything. I cannot explain to men how hard it is being a woman trying to play it cool in an industry of men. I want everyone to think I’m cool and relaxed so I try and just play by their rules. Regardless I got on the bar and lifted my shirt as far as I was comfortable. To the absolute shock of my mental capacity, Joe, my hiring manager, the owner of my company, my direct boss was the one who ended up doing the shot off me. That alone made me uncomfortable and here is where I’m going to start getting vague because the rest is just too painful to detail out. Let me just bullet note it for you people who feel you need the full on details.
Following the shot:
- Joe began to start rubbing my back and kissing my forehead (let me say this is not uncommon behavior between me and men I consider close friends. I have a close relationship with a lot of my former EdgeCase coworkers)
- Joe then put his hands down the back of my pants, yes, I wear a thong and thus he began grabbing my ass.
- Joe then started kissing me, forcibly with his tongue. I was not reciprocating.
- Joe began to put his hand down the front of my pants and finger me. I was a deer in headlights staring into the eyes of the two male bartenders hoping someone would help me.
- I told Joe to stop and reminded him he had a wife and children. He said, “Don’t’ worry about it we have an agreement”
- Finally Matt Darby approached me and asked if I want to go out for a smoke (I smoke, he does’t smoke, and I knew that he was trying to help) I agreed.
As soon as we were out of ear/eyeshot distance, I began uncontrollably crying. Expressing how I was worried I was going to get fired and I couldn’t understand how it all went down. Darby walked me to my room and I stayed up crying until 4am with Charley Baker who had come by to make sure I was okay.
(http://archive.is/20131012091136/blogjustine.wordpress.com/2013/10/12/because-it-needs-to-be-said/)
These events were confirmed by two other developers: Zach Briggs (http://theotherzach.com/writes/2013/10/9/events), Matt Darby (https://web.archive.org/web/20131018124920/http://blog.matt-darby.com/essays/i-am-the-other-developer). And then Neo, the company she worked for covered up the incident!
Meet Matt Darby, despite witnessing the even he tries to downplay it:
(https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000119037509/6110269e741d41b7da57103dedcc3e3e.png)
Do you think he's a predator? -- No. I think he has issues like anyone else and he made several very, very bad decisions that night. I know that he has taken steps to help his issues. (https://web.archive.org/web/20131018124920/http://blog.matt-darby.com/essays/i-am-the-other-developer)
Someone who takes sexual advantage of another due to power imbalance (being Justine’s boss) and inebriation is a fucking predator! Period! Do not defend him you utter moron!
Was there an investigation? -- Via HR, yes. I feel they handled the situation appropriately. As far as I know, no police were ever involved. (https://web.archive.org/web/20131018124920/http://blog.matt-darby.com/essays/i-am-the-other-developer)
The police not being getting involved in a rape case is not a good thing!
Why did it take you so long to write this? -- I felt for a long time that it wasn't my place. I feel that Joe has suffered quite a lot, and is paying for his actions. Again, I'm not protecting him; that is my feeling on the subject. (https://web.archive.org/web/20131018124920/http://blog.matt-darby.com/essays/i-am-the-other-developer)
Joe raped Justine and the company silently let him go. He is to be dragged before a judge and jury! Suffering he is not, convicted he should be!
Should Joe apologize? -- That is between Joe and Justine. I feel that he owes no apology or explaination to anyone else, outside of his wife and family. (https://web.archive.org/web/20131018124920/http://blog.matt-darby.com/essays/i-am-the-other-developer)
WTF “sorry I raped you at the conference I was drunk” is not going to cut it!