The overwhelming amount of sexual assault accusations against Harvey Weinstein recently have created a domino effect of people beginning to share their own stories of sexual harassment and assault, particularly in Hollywood. Many courageous celebrities have come out with their personal experiences with sexual assault, which has triggered a huge social media movement about standing up to sexual assault and consoling the courageous victims who have chosen to share their stories.
From the Weinstein allegations to the trending #MeToo, stories of sexual assault are coming out all around us. Finally, it feels like the media is beginning to shed light on this never-ending problem.
Some of the many actresses and celebrities who have come out with their stories of sexual assault include Gwyneth Paltrow, Cara Delevingne, Reese Witherspoon and America Ferrera – to only name a few. The celebrities that have bravely decided to share their stories are inspirational role models for women and men to look up to. This social movement is about showing the world that we are no longer going to sweep this issue under the rug, and because of all the media attention given to the Weinstein case, a ripple effect of men being fired from their jobs and criminally prosecuted has erupted.
Here is a list of some of the men that are currently facing charges since the Harvey Weinstein case and the trending social movement, #MeToo.
1. James Toback
James Toback, Hollywood director and screenwriter, was accused of sexual harassment by 38 women as of October 22, 2017. However, since the #MeToo movement and the Harvey Weinstein case, the number of female accusers has risen to 310 and continues to grow. According to many of the accusers, Toback would lure in women based on his Hollywood “connections,” and sexually harass them in a multitude of ways in what he referred to as “auditions”.
2. Woody Allen
Woody Allen is accused of sexually assaulting his adopted daughter when she was a child. The director continues to deny this accusation.
3. Kevin Spacey
Not only women are coming out with their stories of sexual assault. Actor Anthony Rapp has accused Kevin Spacey of sexually harassing him when he was a minor. The Weinstein Effect has also led to many actors sharing their dark encounters with Hollywood pedophiles as children. Since the accusation, Spacey has issued an apology to Rapp, in which he states that he has no recollection of the encounter that Rapp described, but it could have been a drunken mistake.
4. Ben Affleck
Many actors, including Ben Affleck, are being accused of knowing about Harvey Weinstein’s reputation among women for quite sometime and not doing anything to stop it. Affleck is also being accused of inappropriately grabbing actress Hillary Burton’s breasts back in 2003.
It is incredible the amount of attention that is finally being given to this social issue. It feels as though the world is finally starting to say that enough is enough. To all the victims of sexual assault and harassment, you are brave, you are strong, and we believe your story.
Sources:
http://deadline.com/2017/10/metoo-america-ferrera-gabrielle-union-debra-messing-1202189889/