It’s no secret that there a lot of sexual harassment and abuses occur in Hollywood. Many actors/actress and singers have come out and said that it has happened to them. The most notable among them are singer Kesha and actor Corey Feldman.
Kesha accuses her producer, Dr. Luke, of drugging and raping her. His threat afterwards is one that is probably most known in the industry. Entertainment Tonight quoted the suit as saying, “He threatened that if she ever mentioned the rape to anyone, he would shut her career down.”
Corey Feldman, known for The Goonies and The Lost Boys, has spoke out against many Hollywood execs regarding sexual abuse. He has spoken about his own personal trauma and that of his friend, Corey Haim, who passed away in March of 2010. Feldman has said expressed during many interviews that Hollywood moguls have been known to take advantage of young men/women and their families alike. He has stated that sexual abuse of Haim by a Hollywood mogul contributed to his death. (Haim was said to have died from pneumonia.)
Recently, a story broke involving a producer named Harvey Weinstein of The Weinstein Company and Miramax. A model by the name of Ambra Battilana Gutierrez claimed that Weinstein groped her and put his hand up her skirt in 2015. She reported this to the New York Police Department. She met up with Weinstein the next day, this time wearing a wire. According to ABC News, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office never filed any charges after investigating and Weinstein was never prosecuted. “They later reached a confidential settlement that included an affidavit that behavior he confessed to did not happen.”
It was discovered that Weinstein has paid off at least a dozen or so women. These women who accuse him are known actresses and some women who worked for him (i.e. secretaries).
Many women have since stepped forward with their stories of how they first encountered Weinstein. The stories range from him asking women if their breasts were real to him asking them to watch him shower. Among the accusers are Ashley Judd, Mira Sorvino, Cara Delevingne, Kate Beckinsale, and Angelina Jolie. (As the days progress, many more are stepping forward in sticking up and sticking by their fellow actresses.)
(Ashley Judd)
(Mira Sorvino)
(Cara Delevingne)
(Kate Beckinsale)
(Angelina Jolie)
Weinstein has since been fired, amid all of the accusations and has also entered into rehab. He continues to deny all of these stories.
It is sad that women, and men alike, have to endure things such as these just to have a career in Hollywood. It’s scary to think of all the people who have encountered such disgusting behavior and because they are just starting out or want to continue working, they must put up with sexual harassment and abuse.
The only hope is that more people begin to step forward, file charges and get these people arrested. No one should have to deal with anything like this.
To read more about the women accusing Weinstein, click here.