On Thursday 5th October, The New York Times published an explosive report alleging 65-year-old film executive, Harvey Weinstein sexually harassed many women in Hollywood over a period of 30 years.
The report alleged Weinstein had previously reached at least eight settlements – worth anywhere between US$80,000 to US$150,000. Eight women shared their experience with Harvey Weinstein in the report, including actress Ashley Judd.
Harvey has since been sacked from The Weinstein Company and his wife has announced she is leaving him.
Listen: The Mamamia Out Loud team talk Weinstein.
Since then, actresses Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow have come forward alleging similar scenarios of sexual harassment. Thirteen other women shared their stories of alleged sexual assault by Harvey Weinstein with the New Yorker, including three who said they were raped.
All up, so far 23 women have come forward with their experiences.
But why now? And who is alleging what?
This is every key piece of information you need to know, so far.
What are the women saying?
Angelina Jolie
“I had a bad experience with Harvey Weinstein in my youth, and as a result, chose never to work with him again and warn others when they did,” Jolie said in an email to the Times. “This behaviour towards women in any field, any country is unacceptable.”
Gwyneth Paltrow
Top Comments
why TF is there a statute of limitations on sex crimes ? many people take a long time to even admit to themselves that what happened was rape so why should they be penalised with not being able to get justice when they do and decide they want to do something about it ?
The most disgusting aspect of this to me, is the breathtaking hypocrisy of the Hollywood elites. When Donald Trump's pussygate was the talk of the town, Meryl Streep et al came out in force to attack the man - quite justifiably. All the time they were pontificating on the evils of the now President, they were complicit by their silence in what Weinstein was up to. Ms Streep says she knew nothing of his behaviour. I don't believe her. If this doesn't wake up those who worship at the feet of the cult of celebrity, nothing will. They're a bunch of over privileged, self serving wastes of space.
She may not have though? Look at his track record, he prays on young girls breaking into Hollywood. Meryl Streep is an older, established, successful actress. In his eyes, he wouldn't dare try anything with her nor in his sick abuser mind would he see a point.
And while people talk, a lot of his victims have clearly kept quiet for a long time (and I understand why). She didn't necessarily know anything about it or if she did, it would have been whispers at the time.