Matt Damon Says Men Who Aren’t ‘Sexual Predators’ Need More Attention

Matt Damon recently said that men who aren’t “sexual predators” need more attention.

While speaking with Business Insider, the actor said that people should also focus their attention on men who have not harmed other women. These are the people whose lives wouldn’t and shouldn’t get affected.

“We’re in this watershed moment, and it’s great, but I think one thing that’s not being talked about is there are whole [expletive] of guys – the preponderance of men I’ve worked with – who don’t do this kind of thing and whose lives aren’t going to be affected. If I have to sign a sexual harassment thing, I don’t care, I’ll sign it. I would have signed it before. I don’t do that, and most of the people I know don’t do that,” he said.

Last week, Damon was criticized by a lot of people after his interview on ABC News’ “Popcorn With Peter Travers” aired. During their discussion, the actor said the sexual assault and sexual harassment should be viewed differently.

“There’s a difference between, you know, patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation, right? Both of these behaviors need to be confronted and eradicated, without question, but they shouldn’t be conflated, right?” he said at that time.

Damon’s comment did not sit well for a number of people including his ex-girlfriend, Minnie Driver. The “Good Will Hunting” actress said that Damon shouldn’t view or explain sexual misconduct against women the way that he did last week.

While speaking with the Guardian, she said, “I felt I desperately needed to say something. I’ve realized that most men, good men, the men that I love, there is a cut-off. They simply cannot understand what abuse is like on a daily level. I honestly think that until we get on the same page, you can’t tell a woman about their abuse. A man cannot do that. No one can. It is individual and so personal, it’s galling when a powerful man steps up and starts dictating the terms, whether he intends it or not.”