The women who accused Harvey Weinstein of abuse and their advocates were stunned Thursday by the embattled movie mogul’s announcement that his 2020 rape conviction had been overturned. .
The decision was made by the New York Court of Appeals, which found that the trial judge improperly allowed the woman to testify against a former Hollywood power company that was not involved in the case.
The allegations against Weinstein, published in a shocking New York Times report in 2017, were a watershed moment in the #MeToo movement. The accusations and subsequent trial sparked widespread accusations of abuse of power and sexual assault across the entertainment industry.
The women challenged Thursday’s ruling, calling it disappointing and “unjust.” Here are some of their responses:
Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape convictionOverturned by New York Court of Appeals
ashley judd
Ashley Judd went on record in the New York Times in 2017, accusing Weinstein of harassing her in the late 1990s. She received news of Thursday’s court ruling from journalist Jodi Cantor, who helped spread the Weinstein story.
“Once again, male sexual violence has violated and disrupted a beautiful day, just as it happens every day in the lives of American women,” Judd said in a statement published in USA TODAY. Stated. “We live every day enjoying men’s rights over women’s bodies. The most dangerous place in America for us is our homes. The people who assault, rape, and kill us most often , a knowledgeable man.
“All of us who survived Harvey Weinstein’s serial sexual predations know him,” she continued. “He gleefully exploited the power asymmetry in our relationship with him. In 1996, after I narrowly avoided his sexual assault in a hotel room, he slandered me. I did not escape his grotesque sexual harassment, wrath, and punishment. My art and my notebook remain unchanged today. It does not change what we survivors know, and we acknowledge that the intensity of minority opinion remains consistent.”
She went on to advocate for the nonprofit research organization Center for Institutional Courage and the ratification of C190, which aims to end workplace harassment and violence. By raising her voice, “we let others know that we see them, hear them, believe them, and love them.” ” Judd said. “We have a community.”
Gloria Allred
Gloria Allred, who represented key prosecution witness Mimi Haley, said in a statement to USA TODAY that Thursday’s decision “will make it harder to convict those who victimize and exploit women. ” means that. But she added: “The victims have lost this battle, but they have not lost the war.”
“The process of testifying has been grueling and re-traumatizing for Mimi, but she will testify again today if District Attorney Alvin Bragg decides to move forward with a new trial for Harvey Weinstein. He reassured me that he would consider doing so,” Allred said. “I admire Mimi’s courage and her willingness to continue to stand up for the truth.
jessica barth
Jessica Barth, who accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct after meeting him at a 2011 Golden Globes party, called the decision a “tragic setback” in a statement obtained by USA TODAY. Ta. The “Ted” actress was one of the survivors who came forward in 2017 when Ronan Farrow revealed to The New Yorker about Weinstein’s long history of abuse.
“This sets a dangerous precedent for sexual assault cases,” said Barth, founder and president of Voice in Action, a nonprofit organization that supports sexual assault survivors. “Evidence of past wrongdoing to prove a pattern of behavior is often admissible in criminal cases and absolutely should be admissible in sexual assault cases.
“The mental and physical strain that victims who testify in front of their rapists must endure in court, especially when the justice system is stacked against them, must endure. “It’s immeasurable for someone who has done so,” she continued. “My thoughts are with all the survivors who have taken a stand and faced the possibility of having to commit similar crimes again.Voices in Action is committed to supporting the victims of these horrific crimes everywhere. We will continue to support and fight for justice.”
Caitlin Dulaney
Actress Caitlin Dulaney, who accused Weinstein of sexually assaulting her in a hotel room during the 1996 Cannes Film Festival in France, said: “In the end, the survivor will win.” I continue to have high expectations.
“I am deeply saddened and completely devastated by today’s verdict,” Dulaney said in a statement to USA TODAY. “Many of us have lived with our stories for years. What Harvey Weinstein did to us affected our lives and careers in ways we will never recover from.” is a travesty of justice, but it doesn’t surprise me. The justice system is in dire need of reform. What happened this morning is a travesty for survivors around the world who are finding the courage to come forward with their stories of abuse. , a terrible setback.
“We are forever grateful to the women who testified at Harvey Weinstein’s New York trial, at great personal cost. The fight continues.”
Harvey Weinstein scandal:Complete list of 87 accusers
katherine kendall
Following Thursday’s ruling, Katherine Kendall said: “Regardless of this and other court decisions, I will continue to proudly support the #MeToo movement.” The “Swingers” actress accused Weinstein of exposing himself and following her in 1993 after being tricked into believing it was a business meeting.
“As we all know, victims of sexual assault who confront those in power are rarely brought to justice through our nation’s justice system,” Kendall said in a statement to USA TODAY. “This needs to change. Victims need to continue to break their silence and our culture needs to continue to believe and support them.
“No matter where Harvey Weinstein goes, his name will be synonymous with sex offenders everywhere,” she continued. “He will live in a prison of his own making until his death.”
Tarare Wolf and Dawn Dunning
Douglas H. Wigdor, an attorney representing eight Weinstein accusers, called the decision a “major setback in holding people accountable for acts of sexual violence.” Two of the witnesses in Weinstein’s New York trial were model Taral Wolf and aspiring actress Dawn Dunning, who both testified at the 2020 criminal trial.
“I’m a little frozen.”Harvey Weinstein accuser Taral Wolf reveals details of assault to jury, says he raped her
“Courts routinely admit evidence of other exculpatory acts that assist jurors in understanding issues regarding a defendant’s intent, modus operandi, and planning,” Wigdor said in a statement shared with USA TODAY. “The jury was instructed on the relevance of this testimony, and overturning the verdict would be tragic in that the victims would have to endure yet another trial.”
In a separate statement to USA TODAY, Dunning said she was “stunned” by the court’s decision but “still proud” she testified.
“Preparing for the trial took two years of my life. I had to relive the trauma of the assault every day,” Dunning said. “But since today’s sentencing, people have asked me if I regret testifying. Was this all for nothing? And my answer is a resounding ‘no.’ I came forward to support other women who have also been sexually abused by Mr. Weinstein and to ensure that Mr. Weinstein is held accountable. They had nothing to gain and much to lose in terms of loss of privacy and the trauma of confronting their abusers. court.
“It has made me a stronger person, and I know that other women have found strength and courage because I and other Weinstein survivors publicly confronted him. ” she continued. “The culture has changed, and I believe there is no going back. I urge the district attorney to reconsider this case.”
Evgeniya Chernyshova
Chernyshova, who was Jane Doe No. 1 at Weinstein’s Los Angeles trial, had no comment Thursday morning. Her lawyer, David Ring, gave her opinion on the decision.
“Evgeniya Chernyshova is clearly disappointed that the New York conviction against Mr. Weinstein has been overturned,” Ring said in a statement to USA TODAY. “She feels sorry for the victims who endured trials and subsequent appeals only to see their convictions overturned. But she and I both feel sorry for the victims who endured trials and subsequent appeals only to see their convictions overturned. I am confident that my rape conviction will be upheld.”
What is Harvey Weinstein?Does this mean a California conviction will be overturned?
“As the only victim convicted against Weinstein, she will continue to stand tall and do whatever it takes to get justice not only for herself but for all victims. .”
Weinstein will continue serving a 16-year sentence for a rape conviction in California in 2022.
LA trial:Harvey Weinstein convicted of rape, more than two years after previous conviction
silence breakers
More than a dozen anonymous Weinstein survivors, known as the Silence Breakers, expressed collective shock hours after the announcement.
“Today’s news is not only disappointing, but deeply unjust,” the group said in a statement shared with USA TODAY by Sara Mucha, director of SKDK, a consulting firm that works with advocacy groups.
“However, this ruling does not undermine our experience or the validity of the truth; it is merely a setback,” they continued. “The convicted men continue to serve their sentences.…When survivors around the world broke their silence in 2017, the world changed. We will continue to stand strong and advocate for that change. We will continue to fight for justice for survivors everywhere.”
Anita Hill and the Hollywood Commission
Anita Hill is the chair and president of the Hollywood Commission to Stop Discrimination and Harassment in Entertainment. In her statement, she blamed a “lack of progress” in addressing the power imbalances that allow abuses to occur.
“Sexual assault remains a pervasive problem,” Hill said. “Many survivors do not pursue justice because they believe nothing will be done. Today’s decision underscores the urgent need for systemic change in our institutions and holds them accountable. We redouble our commitment to survivors to advance policies and systems that ensure accountability and enable free workplaces,” from the actions that promote the need for these systems in the first place. ”
Contributors: Taijuan Moorman, Anika Reed, Naledi Ushe, Brian Truitt
