More Women Are Coming Forward To Accuse Harvey Weinstein Of Assault And Rape
Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie have both come forward.
The following article discusses sexual assault.
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Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow are among the latest women to come forward and accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, as the allegations against the Hollywood producer continue to grow.
Weinstein, who boasts hundreds of credits on films including Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love and Silver Linings Playbook, was fired from his company on Sunday evening, days after The New York Times published an explosive investigation accusing him of decades of sexual harassment and assault. Since the story broke, a number of other women have come forward to share their stories, as the scandal continues to divide the entertainment industry.
In a follow-up article published by the Times on Tuesday, Paltrow and Jolie, along with several other actresses, have alleged that Weinstein attempted to coerce sexual favours from them.
Their accusations came on the same day that The New Yorker published its own expose on Weinstein, in which three women – including Italian actress Asia Argento – accused the producer of rape.
Argento alleges that Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her in a hotel room on the French Riviera in 1997, despite her repeatedly asking him to stop. She described the incident as a “horrible trauma” and “a nightmare.” Argento later had consensual sex with Weinstein on a number of occasions. “After the rape,” she says, “he won.”
According to Paltrow, Weinstein made inappropriate advances towards her in the early ’90s when she met with him in a Beverly Hills hotel suite after she was cast in the Jane Austen adaptation Emma. Paltrow, then 22, alleges that Weinstein placed his hands on her and suggested they head to the bedroom for a massage.
“I was a kid, I was signed up, I was petrified,” she told The Times.
The actress says she refused Weinstein’s advances and later told her then boyfriend, Brad Pitt, about the incident. According to her, Pitt subsequently confronted Weinstein, before the producer warned Paltrow not to mention it to anyone. “I was expected to keep the secret,” she said.
In a more recent incident, Weinstein admitted to groping a model named Ambra Battilana Gutierrez. In audio captured by the NYPD during a 2015 sting operation, Weinstein can be heard pressuring Gutierrez, saying “I’m a famous guy” and “you’ll never see me again after this”.
Weinstein, in conversation with Gutierrez, admits to groping her. Here’s the audio: https://t.co/zSQbK5NV0c pic.twitter.com/vmrrSUp43w
— The New Yorker (@NewYorker) October 10, 2017
Jolie, meanwhile, told The Times via email that she 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.”
“This behaviour towards women in any field, any country is unacceptable,” she added.
Paltrow says she came forward in order to support the other women who have already made accusations against Weinstein. “We’re at a point in time when women need to send a clear message that this is over,” she told the paper. “This way of treating women ends now.”
According to a statement released by a Weinstein spokesperson on Tuesday, “any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr. Weinstein.”
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If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Men can access anonymous confidential telephone counselling to help to stop using violent and controlling behaviour through the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
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Feature images via Wikimedia