The Harvey Weinstein Allegations
Harvey Weinstein, once a respected film producer in Hollywood known for producing the likes of Pulp Fiction, has now been accused of sexually harassing at least 70 women, and possibly raping 12 others.
This all has recently come to light when the Times published an article on October 5th with multiple women, including Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan, all claiming that Weinstein committed sexual abuse on them in some way or form. These claims ranged from promising to promote and further the victims careers to pressuring them into massaging and watching him naked.
As the weeks past, an increasing amount of women let their experiences with Harvey be publicly known. In the beginning of the wave of allegations, Romola Garai affirmed that he violated her, whereas Asia Argento and Lucia Stoller asserted that they were raped. This lead to Weinstein’s wife to separate from him.
Later, Cara Delevingne, Lysette Elliot, Lauren Holly, Lena Headey, Lupita Nyong’o, Zelda Perkins (a former assistant of his), Brit Marling, Mimi Haleyi, Dominique Huett, Natassia Malthe, Annabella Sciorra, and Daryl Hannah all had unique yet similar stories of Weinstein exploiting his power (both physically and as an influential producer).
A plethora of people in the same industry as Harvey like George Clooney, Meryl Streep, and Quentin Tarantino spoke out about him, either stating that his actions were inexcusable or that they in fact knew about his harassing, but could personally do nothing about it.
On the other hand, others in the industry, including Scott Rosenberg (a well-known screenwriter), have also said that they never heard of Harvey’s accusations of rape, but indeed did know of his inappropriate manner.
Consequently, as these numerous accusations materialized in the news, many organizations removed Harvey Weinstein from their businesses. BAFTA (The British Film and Television Association) suspended his membership, the Oscars removed him, the Producers Guild of America banned him for life, the British Film Institute removed the membership he was given, his CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) title gifted to him by the government's Honours Forfeiture Committee is being removed, and Harvard University even stripped him of his Du Bois medal.
Multiple victims such as Zelda Perkins and Rose McGowan were offered large sums of money to keep quiet about Harvey’s actions towards them.
Harvey responded to these allegations with releasing an apology, where he denied harassing and definitely denied raping his employees and other actresses. Additionally, he is attempting to sue his former company after his lawyers stated that The Weinstein Company refused to give him documents that he could utilize to defend himself from the harassment and rape allegations.
Currently, a Canadian actress who wishes to remain anonymous is attempting to sue Weinstein for multiple sexual assaults as well as Marimax, The Walt Disney Company, and Barbara Schneeweiss, who worked for Weinstein. She claims Schneeweiss helped Weinstein “facilitate” the assaults. She is looking for a total of $14m Canadian dollars.
