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Harvey Weinstein Breaks Year-Long Silence and Survivors Aren't Having It

Juliette V.
 • 
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Editor's Note

If you’ve experienced sexual abuse or assault, the following post could be potentially triggering. You can contact The National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

After a year-long break from public interviews, Harvey Weinstein, accused by over 80 women of rape, sexual assault or harassment over several decades of his career, broke his silence on Sunday in an exclusive interview with the New York Post. In the interview, he referred to himself as “the forgotten man,’’ because due to #MeToo, no one remembers his professional accomplishments.

“I made more movies directed by women and about women than any filmmaker, and I’m talking about 30 years ago. I’m not talking about now when it’s vogue. I did it first! I pioneered it!” he said, adding:

“It all got eviscerated because of what happened. My work has been forgotten.’’

Weinstein’s comments come just weeks before his rape trial on Jan. 6, 2020, in Manhattan Supreme Court in New York. He has pleaded not guilty and denied allegations of nonconsensual sex.

Rose McGowan, one of Weinstein’s accusers and #MeToo advocate, responded to his recent comments on Twitter.

“I didn’t forget you, Harvey. My body didn’t forget you. I wish it could,” she wrote. “I refused to sign an NDA after it happened because I knew I would come for you. And I did. This is about stopping a prolific rapist. You.”

In addition to McGowan’s tweet, 23 other women who accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct issued a statement on Sunday night, claiming Weinstein was trying to “gaslight society”:

Harvey Weinstein is trying to gaslight society again. He says in a new interview he doesn’t want to be forgotten. Well, he won’t be. He will be remembered as a sexual predator and an unrepentant abuser who took everything and deserves nothing. He will be remembered by the collective will of countless women who stood up and said enough. We refuse to let this predator rewrite his legacy of abuse.

Social media users also took to Twitter to express their outrage over Weinstein’s comments:

If this news is difficult for you, you’re not alone. It’s OK to stay away from the news for awhile to protect your mental health. If you or a loved one is affected by sexual abuse or assault and need help, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.

Resources

If you or a loved one is affected by sexual abuse or assault and need help, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.

Image via Creative Commons/Georges Biard

Juliette V.
 • 

Hi, I'm Juliette. I'm the former Mental Health Editor at The Mighty. I joined The Mighty because I believe storytelling is a powerful tool in raising awareness about mental health and trauma. I'm inspired every day by the brave vulnerability of our community. #MightyTogether

juliette-v
Originally published: December 16, 2019
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