Harvey Wenistein’s accusers are expressing relief after he was sentenced to 23 years in prison for a criminal sexual act and rape in the third degree.
In her victim statement, Maryam Haley said: “I showed up, not as a perfect victim, but as a human being.” The jury had found Weinstein guilty of forcibly performing oral sex on her at his apartment.
Jessica Mann said that “today we can have a future vision where monsters no longer hide in our closets.” Weinstein was found guilty of raping her in a hotel room.
Haley and Mann were two of three accusers who have had their allegations heard in the case. Over 90 women have accused the disgraced Hollywood producer of sexual misconduct, including harassment, assault or rape.
“This is your first conviction, but not your first offense,” Judge James Burke told Weinstein during his sentencing.
Many of Weinstein’s accusers took to social media to speak out now that justice has been served.
Italian actor and director Asia Argento, who in 2017 led a group of accusers to release a list of over 100 alleged instances of sexual misconduct dating as far back as 1985, posted on Instagram that she was looking forward to Weinstein’s next trial in Los Angeles.
Actor, director and producer Rosanna Arqette has been one of the most public accusers, giving testimony in the documentary Untouchable. Arqette expressed her gratitude to the women who spoke out and to the reporters who listened to their stories.
https://twitter.com/RoArquette/status/1237762771527159809
https://twitter.com/RoArquette/status/1237784507710713861
Many more of Weinstein’s accusers also expressed relief survivors were finally being heard, including Daryl Hannah, Mira Sorvino, Myleene Klass and Jessica Barth.
I could never celebrate a prison sentence
even for the remorseless #weinstien
but I absolutely celebrate the fact the
100+ women who came forward publicly
have found some justice
& prevented others from being victimized in the future
It’s only the beginning
#ListenToWomen— Daryl Hannah (@dhlovelife) March 11, 2020
23 years. Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his crimes of rape and sexual assault. I literally cried tears of amazement, gratitude that the justice system has worked on behalf of all of his victims today.
— Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) March 11, 2020
23 years for Harvey Weinstein.
To the women who stood together, so bravely, I hope this can be the start of some kind of healing.
Now we look to those who concealed his actions, his enablers, those who knew exactly what he was up to…— Myleene Klass (@KlassMyleene) March 11, 2020
So thankful for #jessicamann #mimihaleyi #annabellasciorra for putting our monster where he belongs, and all my sisters who helped to get us here… I feel free. #silencebreakers https://t.co/eRxjuFzcnL
— Lucia (@luciaioevans) March 11, 2020
#JUSTICE https://t.co/dEls8a0zhx
— Jessica Barth (@_jessicabarth_) March 11, 2020
23 YEARS!! WE DID IT!! 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 https://t.co/JKs6zw85uc
— Rowena Chiu (@rowena_chiu) March 11, 2020
A WIN for the #MeToo Movement .We have finally been respected today & abusers warned! The women who made this possible we THANK YOU with all our hearts ❤️ & @RonanFarrow Game just got OFFICIALLY Changed! Harvey Weinstein Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison https://t.co/cigPa5tp7V
— Claire Forlani (@ClaireAForlani) March 11, 2020
New York Times journalist Jodi Kantor first reported substantial allegations of sexual misconduct against Weinstein in 2017.
She described scenes from the courtroom as Weinstein’s sentence was announced.
23 years for Harvey Weinstein. @mega2e and I just witnessed it for ourselves. Weinstein was cuffed to his wheelchair then rolled away. The women who testified sobbed afterwards. Irwin Reiter, his accountant of 30 yrs who secretly helped us break the story, sat just behind.
— Jodi Kantor (@jodikantor) March 11, 2020
One of the many reasons the Weinstein sentencing was so stunning to witness:
In final moments, as the judge began to announce the sentence, he explained that Weinstein would have to register as a sex offender upon release.
And then he gave him what is basically life in prison.
— Jodi Kantor (@jodikantor) March 11, 2020
Days after Kantor’s initial report, Ronan Farrow published further allegations against Weinstein in The New Yorker magazine.
He spoke of the power of accusers to hold powerful people accountable.
A lot of news underlines how hard it is to hold wealthy and connected people accountable. Today’s shows the power of people who speak up, from a position of far less power, at great personal risk.
— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) March 11, 2020
Other accusers, including Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd, expressed a desire to move on from the saga.
#coronavirus Nah. I need a day that’s a #newsfast. Too much stress so let’s change the subject. #daffodils #spring I went for a long run and I get to hear glennondoyle tonight. https://t.co/WIWHnb83OH
— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) March 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/rosemcgowan/status/1237829581324849153
Help is available.
If you require immediate assistance, please call 000.
If you’d like to speak to someone about sexual violence, please call the 1800
Respect hotline on 1800 737 732 or chat online.
Under 25? You can reach Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
