Given the overall circumstances, I think Hall’s admission that his behavior was “problematic” is the strongest evidence of a cult mentality — especially since it appears that this admission was the only way he could avoid being publicly branded an abuser.

I know (and applaud) activists who are working on the issue of untested rape kits. Some of them take a pretty dim view of #MeToo. Yes, there are real problems with how law enforcement handles rape cases. But I can’t think of anything more insulting to actual victims of sexual assault than to say that a grown woman whining about being “manipulated” and “coerced” into cheating on her boyfriend is a victim.