Nature is not kind to its female and male animals, including humans. The male human, like other males, has a sexual apparatus that demands to be used. The apparatus of the female human is, in general, and like other females in nature, much less demanding. Quite a dilemma as to how to control, within the sentient life of the human species that has evolved, the demanding male. Yet somehow the male of our species must keep trying to evolve beyond animal lust and its practices. Indeed most males ARE evolving, it seems, and those who can't need to be separated, I should think, from human society.
8
Weinstein should drop the walker shtick and victim role. He should stand up, be a man. Admit what happened, use his daily therapy sessions to work on healing his narcisstic personality, learn how to develop empathy and compassion, and learn about how his abuse of women impacted them, not him, them. Then he must apologize to them and to the world. I see/hear no remorse from him, which means he will likely perpetrate again if allowed to walk away from this.
As a sexual abuse victim myself, by men in entertainment industry, I have no doubt what has been revealed by the women accusers is real. The power differentials in all the industries (not just entertainment) create the paradigm in which a woman is easy prey for men.
I am 63, ever since #metoo I see how I spent my whole life blaming myself for bad stuff that happened between me and so called 'mentors', things that should never have happened and how blaming myself was all part of playing into their lie (ie, somehow I caused them to act out). I always, until #metoo, bought into the idea that sexual abuse was normal, all part of playing with the Big Boys, and something we either endured (assault) or jumped in and 'played' the game, (ie, go along with their sexual aggression).
I am so grateful to all the young women standing up now, helping us redefine the culture and they help me redefine my own experiences and life.
I wish no ill on anyone including Monster Harvey, but I do hope justice and healing continues.
41
It’s sad that readers ‘announce’ their traumatic experiences via letters about ongoings of the court re actresses testimony... surely there are counselors friends and family that should be aware of such awful acts NOT ‘the general public’. I don’t see how it can help witnesses in court to bring down Weinstein. Not only has he gotten away w awful acts but he had ( past tense!) a reputation for never paying his writers or delaying payments to scriptwriters. There were few people in the industry that had good things to say about him.
3
Lobby to end the statutes of limitations on these crimes. If I have to live with the damage for the rest of my life, my rapist should have to spend that time looking over his shoulder.
9
Brave lady.
8
First of all, very few rapes are reported at the time it happens if ever, especially when it’s someone the victim knows. It takes years and decades to understand what happened. Second, Annabella has every right to pursue justice and tell her story. SHE is the victim. It is her courage that may help keep this repulsive “man” from committing more rapes.
Weinstein is a menace to society. We really must end this shaming and blaming the victim. I understand that his attorneys are tasked with defending him. But what they’re doing is not defending him, but rather gaslighting and attacking her. If your client is innocent you should be able to defend him without sleazy semantic tactics.
Weinstein is a malignant sociopath (aka psychopath). He, like all of his ilk, is a “man” whose insatiable need for gratification is driven by relentless predatory impulses and urges. He knew exactly what he was doing. He’s malignant and disordered and sadistic. And these malignant predators always have enablers, grafters and sycophants. Annabella was (as were hundreds of other women) ensnared in this web of sickness by NO fault of her own. It doesn’t matter if she opened the door without asking who was there. It doesn’t matter if she was 33 or 23 or 73. Most people don’t understand what rape looks like until after they’ve been raped, that rape is often perpetrated by someone you know, it’s not usually “violent” but it’s always by force/ coercion and it’s always confusing and traumatic.
14
As a rape victim myself (in fact, as well as an attempted rape victim), I must admit that I find Ms. Sciorra's claim very hard to believe. Even as a child, I would not have opened a door to anyone without first inquiring and finding out who it was. Just saying...
Also, how does one still go to a restaurant to meet a man who had raped her?
My instincts tell me that, since this woman had admitted to lying on the David Letterman's show in the past, then I must take ANYTHING she says with a spoonful of salt.
3
@May What does she have to gain by lying?
5
@May
You don't know very much about human behavior or sexual assault, do you? Many people open the door without knowing who it is. Even if she did ask, she knew him, so she probably would have opened the door anyways. So what's the logical connection there?
What if I told you that I didn't believe you are a rape victim because a rape victim wouldn't cast doubt on another person's story based on something as silly as whether she said "who is it" before she opened the door?
Would you think that it was ridiculous and cruel of me to make that logical leap? Just saying...
17
WHEN DID SHE ADMIT TO LYING ON THE LETTERMAN SHOW??? I agree that women and people in general are quite savvy about never ever opening the door to anybody and not just in NYC! Everyone asks: WHO IS THERE, even if the doorman cleared them!!!
5
W got away with crimes for so long that he felt invulnerable, but it just takes one brave person to convict, as Bill Cosby discovered.
3
Disgusting evil man, harboring no doubt whatsoever that he was entitled to do whatever, whenever, to whomever he wished.
To a far too large a degree, this is the America we live in today, with the exact same belief existing in the evil persona we know as Donald Trump, the President of our once respected United States of America.
Think of how this affects the thinking of our children as they look to these leaders for example and direction.
We the People have lost our way.
3
I know the defence lawyer is just doing her job, as they say, but I find it disgusting how she denigrated and humiliated the victim by saying oh you were 33 at the time, implying that she was old enough to know better. As if being 33 makes you some kind of rape expert.
12
Weinstein and Trump. Two peas in a pod. Just grab em. When you’re rich and powerful you can do anything ...
But no more. The day Trump was elected was the day we knew it’s got to change. We were repulsed and convulsed by the millions. The times they are a changing bud. These are our bodies and we want to live in this world and go to these parties and act in these films and succeed without fear. We consider this truth to be self-evident. We have equal rights. And we demand them.
And part of demanding our right to life and bodily safety is calling thugs like Weinstein to account for his pattern of sex predation and issuing a warning to others. No more. And still there is a frisson of fear. They could overpower us still. We still need people in power to do right. Or else we are lost.
7
Nothing gives one human being the right to force sex on another. That is the bottom line principle here. Being alone willingly with a man does not give him the right to sex. Forcing sex is rape. It's that simple.
9
Just put Weinstein in jail for life.
Get rid of him.
There is no way that this aberration of humanity should be allowed to walk away after committing these acts of inexcusable violence against these women.
Not in a just world.
3
My heart goes out to Annabella Sciorra. Her story rings very true.
5
One of the most bizarre things about all these stories is the number of times a rape victim or target of harassment says that they weren’t sure or didn’t know what was happening to them. I simply do not understand. I’ve only ever been attacked once in my life... walking to my car after midnight on the streets of NW DC after leaving a bar in 2001. They barely touched me and then ran away as I turned on them. There is no doubt in my mind what happened. I hope this creep goes to prison if found guilty, but I will never get these victims and their uncertainty or timidity. It’s just too bizarre to understand.
2
Maybe he raped women, for sure he had an inappropriate and abusive behavior with women. But does it mean that you can’t question the behavior of the women who accuse him? I don’t think that many women open their door when they are wearing a nightgown without asking who is behind it. And years later, despite having been, as she alleges, raped as a consequence of opening her door without checking who was behind it, she does it again. I was sexually assaulted as a seven year old in the stair case of my building. Almost sixty years later, I hold a whistle in my hand in my pocket and check and double check my surroundings when going into a staircase and never ever in my life would I open my door without knowing who is behind it. If I don’t expect anybody I even don’t answer the door.
2
When I was young, a man who was an acquaintance broke into my boarding house rented room and raped me. I was afraid to scream and wake up the other boarders who would surely have blamed me, not him. That was in the early '60's. Unbelievably, I didn't actually call it rape until decades later.
8
The ONLY reason I remember the day, date, exact time that the ex-husband raped me is that I put the date in my Google Calendar. I put it there so that I would NEVER FORGET. No one could ever tell me that it "didn't happen," because the trauma of what he did to me had conveniently wiped away the physical details. Then I wrote an exact account of what happened, everything I remembered from that morning.
You forget because you WANT to forget. You NEED to forget. If you don't forget: YOU. GO. INSANE. You forget because you are healthy. You survive.
Details fade. Trauma stays.
12
In 1968 as a lonely bullied 17 year old I accepted a ride home from two guys. They took me to a bar and bought me a drink and then drove directly to a tractor path in the country and one of them forced oral sex and raped me. I tried very hard to talk him out of it and fought at first but he gave me a black eye. I was a virgin. Afterwards he told me he wished he could date me and I pretended to go along because I was afraid he wouldn’t take me home.The next day was Monday, wash day so my Mom washed my clothes and the the blood away. Later I went to my next door neighbors and she figured out something was wrong and got me to tell her. She came home with me and told my Mom who offered no comfort. My older sister called just then as she was going to the doctor pregnant with her first child. I went instead and after my first Gynecological exam, which I have no memory of, the doctor sat behind a big wooden desk and said I had had sex. Later in the day when my dad was coming home from work at 4:30 it was agreed that I would be at the Neighbor’s while my mom told him. He took me to the police Department and they took pictures of me with my blackeye. When I made my statement with no emotion I spoke Word for Word the filthy things the rapist had said to me. When my mom read the statement she said “I’d rather die Then do what you did”. I decided that if I was ever attacked again I would die fighting. Years later I walked into a park one night hoping I would be killed. I am okay now.
20
Perhaps if prostitution were legal the men who commit these crimes would have a means to quell their overwhelming desire without resorting to violence.
Of course as this would bring more than a modicum of power and control to women, I don't expect that any of the men who are presently writing laws undermining a woman's right to choose have minds sufficiently open to accept such a proposition.
Rape is a violent act which ultimately requires the use of coercion which is by definition both physically and mentally violent in nature, neither traits which appear peculiar to women.
The hypocrisy entangling this, as in every question regarding women's human rights, is rarely pointed out, but is central to the definition of all human rights and every man, everywhere, knows and profits from this tacit understanding.
The Equal Rights Amendment has been held in abeyance for almost fifty years by male legislators who, at best, appear to have no respect for women.
Our upcoming election will determine whether thoughtful women and men will stand up for themselves and exercise the power of our democracy or once again ring the broken bell of our professed freedom.
5
No reporting, hospital visit even, continues working with Miramax - and a 33-year-old at the time of the opening the door unawares in intimates - well don't tell it now. Harvey's mistake was abusing power in using the Miramax position. I think they regret being used.
1
As someone who was molested as a child, more than once, what one can and must see here is that this is a very frequent problem in our culture, something that happens. It is trauma --and things like remembering the date of it happening are no indicator of it's occurrance.
In general, people should believed!
To talk 'about what happened' is never easy, has little benefit, is difficult and often re-traumatizing (as is not being believed, especially by so-called trusted or close others), and often meets up with general denial and dismissals of various heinous, self-serving, foolish, uncaring and callous, or sexist kinds. The wrong people are 'embarrass', dismissive, suspected, etc. People, in general need to be believed. Talking about one's trauma is difficult and not being believed is awful and scarring.
This must stop, and only we who are conscious and awake, who listen or know from personal experience must change our responses when this arises - whether immediately or decades later. If possible, perpetrators need to be confronted and brought to justice. This is serious, violent, life-affecting assault.
7
He can share a cell with Bill Cosby . In truth Trump and Clinton likely belong there as well. It seems to me when men are alone with women and in positions of power the potential for danger is there. Women in vulnerable positions need to protect themselves by carrying mace or some similar deterrent.it seems crazy and sad but it seems to make sense unless one makes certain not to take chances which in today's world is extremely difficult.
1
I'm worried that my comments will be misconstrued, but I'd like to add them to the conversation in any event. It's not that I don't believe these women's accounts because there's simply too many people saying the same things. What I do have a problem with is the conscious decision most of them made to not properly report the incidents. Yes, our criminal justice system is flawed and these kinds of reports can go terribly wrong, but most of our legal system is based upon citizens' participation. If you witness your next door neighbor being shot, you report the incident. You don't sit around wondering if the assailant will be found guilty, or if the cops will do their job, or if you'll be treated badly by reporting. You do it because it's the right thing to do and hopefully the assailant won't repeat the crime. Many people are saying these very time-late accusers are brave. I think it's just the opposite. By staying silent, a monster like Weinstein went on to victimize so many other people.
5
@KCF Its not just men in powerful professional positions affecting womens' careers by demanding or taking by force sexual "favors". Often it's their friend, their family member (father, brother, in-law, uncle, cousin, etc.), a family friend, or others they know. It's harder to even admit it happened let alone report when it comes from someone you & others trust - sometimes even your family won't (or don't want to) believe you. Women risk a lot just reporting sexual assault. Yes, I wish we all had spoken up more forcefully at the time. But even now, when telling our stories to loved ones, especially male family members, the response often is SILENCE, not a peep, not even "I'm sorry this happened to you". With non-responses from our closest family, we fear similar treatment (actually much worse than silence - picking apart details of our lives) from reporting.
14
It’s not complicated. A self serving man repeatedly abuses his position, intimidates, ruins lives — & the people he makes rich, give him a pass. (Just like Trump, Zuckerberg and so on.) Men have a chokehold on the narrative. They use nonsense and create doubt to distract from obvious truths and cling on to selfish dominance. Grateful to the individuals who step up, bravely upend their lives and do the right thing. Hopeful — that it’s not in vain.
12
@Dana
Trump? Um, no. Weinstein was an enthusiastic supporter of Clinton, Inc. for decades.
I graduated high school in 1993, college in 1997. I had a lot of friends, a lot of girl friends (and also a lot of girlfriends). I always treated women like the extraordinary, precious gifts they are (or tried to, despite making the normal mistakes). And women have always confided in me. All of this backdrop to say that by the time I was 25, I already knew dozens of women who had been raped, sexually assaulted or abused (by friends, family, or boyfriends).
In fact, at one point I was convinced it was over 50% of the women I knew. I grew up in a relatively wealthy part of the Bay Area before moving to Nevada, and the stories never discriminated: they came from rich girls, poor girls, beautiful ones and less so, white and Latina girls, black girls...every girl was a target, and a huge portion of them were victims (and this an era before norms supported these disclosures).
You might think I’d become a raging pessimist after all of this, but it’s the women themselves that probably saved me: their strength, resilience and yes, the beauty that no one can ever take from them, that kept me believing they’ll always win in the end.
Now, at 44, I lovingly but firmly swat my two boys on the head if they walk through a door before their mom or sister. They know we revere girls, protect them, and treat them with infinite respect.
This all starts (and mostly ends) with fathers.
13
When I was 14, my teacher serenaded me with a romantic song in front of the whole class. There were 20 witnesses. He did not face any consequences. When I was 16, I was sexually propositioned by my 50 year old boss at my first summer job. He stroked my arm. I quit my job on the spot. He called my mom and demanded that I show up at work until he found my replacement. I explained to her what happened. She looked frightened and suggested that I misunderstood him. In disgust, I called my manager back and told him I was never going back. When I was 17, I worked as a lab assistant. There was a male scientist who followed women into the bathroom. I reported it to a manager. He said the scientist was “harmless” and a “genius”. So then I reported it to a woman manager. She said nothing could be done if he hadn’t hurt anyone yet. When I was 18, a fellow student that I didn’t know well tried to assault me in my dorm room. Thank God, a friend interrupted him and forced him to leave. I reported him to the police the same day. The intake officer was sympathetic. But the officer who took the case told me I needed to let it go so that we didn’t “ruin his bright future”. I asked that there be a criminal record for the sake of future potential victims. He closed the case in response. When I was 19, a man in his 30s grabbed my chest while I was shopping for soap at a Target in the early afternoon. I shouted at him and he ran off. I was and still am an ordinary woman.
25
It strikes me as profoundly sad that so many people are negatively impacted by sexuality in their lives. Sex is supposed to be one of the more wonderful experiences a human can have. Not the source of so much pain and trauma.
My heart breaks for all the people who have experienced sexual abuse, of which I am one. I also feel for people out there who either made a mistake in the past, or struggle daily against desires that they had no part in cultivating.
The world is not not black and white, good and evil. Heroes and villains. More so a big mass of fallible, vulnerable humanity hurting themselves and each other and hoping things will get better. We elevate people to simple angels and demons at our peril.
2
In the fall of 2017 as witnesses came forth day after day about sexual predators like Weinstein, Lauer, O’Reilly, Halperin, Ailes, Besh, and Batali, I recognized the stories. I had a long history of men being sexually inappropriate and hidden in there was a rape I had forgotten. I started writing about each incident and each predator. Very cathartic. The terror, humiliation, anger and shame washed away as I remembered and wrote about what happened. I hope Weinsteins victims get justice and experience healing as he is called to answer for his crimes.
8
While in her thirties- no children, divorced (89-93) raped (1993-4?) more than once (1997) by the same person but not knowing rape to be rape until age 57- cut her wrists, drank to excess but was able to pull off an appearance with David Letterman (1997), land a gig on the, street-smart, mob-, affair- and violence-based, Sopranos (1999) and receive an Emmy nomination (1999) for the role she played in the series. Rarely would all of this trauma/success collide in one sentence.
This makes more sense. While in her thirties as an American actress, her film-roles included True Love (1989), Cadillac Man (1990), The Night We Never Met, Romeo is Bleeding, Jungle Fever (1991), The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992), Mr. Wonderful (1993), The Addiction (1995), The Funeral (1996), Cop Land (1997), and What Dreams May Come (1998).
Ms. Sciorra was able to pull off an appearance with David Letterman (1997), land a gig on the, street-smart, mob-, affair- and violence-based, Sopranos (1999) and receive an Emmy nomination (2001) for the role she played in the series.
Looks like, as Weinstein held, she held a lot of personal/professional power. Can’t imagine Ms. Sciorra not having the physical and emotional strength to handle Mr. Weinstein. They were nearly equal in their status.
Not buying her testimony.
2
You don't understand how powerful shame and guilt are nor do you seem to understand the difference between a public self and a private self. The fact that you don't believe her because she was successful just goes to show why so many women don't report it at the time or never report it. A person can make up infinite reasons why the victim is wrong or to not believe them. You are part of the problem and should educate yourself about common reactions to sexual harassment and sexual assault.
13
Just as an aside, I would say Annabelle is best known for movies (like the Hand That Rocks The Cradle) not The Sopranos.
5
There’s a fine line between yes and no—Harvey Weinstein indulged in getting what he wanted, so much so that everything & everyone was an automatic yes to him including work colleagues & business partners he could just order around with fear causing ruthlessness—the tyrant! But courting women honorably required a trait he had little time for or better said did not possess: honor.
As tyrants go he is rich—that attracts many things in need of opportunities: the hooker, the gold-digger, the bunny, and people who just need a break in life; the latter of which probably was his ultimate prey because no man really wants to pay for sex, right? We all want true love! In his case his truth, his love—unrequited.
He is also powerful: “birds of a feather flock together” & protect one another—the rich & famous! The news has been full of it!
Social structures while he was growing up tolerated this kind of behavior with no or low accountability—“Boys will be boys!”
Now he’s the broken man who just wanted to help the world with his kindness sporting his high-powered female attorney who most certainly has hand sanitizer in her briefcase! Certainly everyone deserves a capable lawyer but every lawyer does not deserve the residue of bad Karma on their hands! Credit Cards Accepted!
What will madam defense attorney prove? There are indeed women out there who make up wild stories! Yes it us true, unfortunately, men & women are not mutually exclusive!
...but Harvey deserves to rot in prison!
4
The world has changed. Better for women. In the iconic scene from GoT between Cersi and Oberyon. NO SARCASM intended at all. This dialogue was written by persons living in this world.
Oberyn Martell : We don't hurt little girls in Dorne.
Cersei Lannister : Everywhere in the world, they hurt little girls.
5
@NDV
Yes, that exchange rang like bell... and stuck with me too. Sometimes I am shocked when the truth of artistic moment conveys an absolute truth with such moral clarity in so few words.
3
@Name
But I didn't see Cerci's response as an anachronism, pertinent only to the fictional narrative as you suggest. The power in her words is in direct proportion to their truth in the lives of girls and women now, looking at any number of parameters one might care to study.
2
I was "pro human" for a long time, but I really don't think I ever will be again.
Thanks to all the good people.
1
@Doctor Woo, There is a tremendous amount of American juris prudence on the admissibility of “prior bad acts” evidence. It is only allowed under certain circumstances, which are impossible to explain in a shot paragraph. Many states also have statutes allowing the admission of prior bad acts evidence in certain types of cases, usually domestic violence and sex crimes. Many states also allow the admission of “out of statute prior bad acts” when the elements of a charged crime require multiple crimes. In those multiple crime statutes, the out of statute crimes may be alleged to meet the multiple crime or multiple victim element of the statute. Therefore, the out of statute prior bad act is actually necessary and relevant evidence of the crime charged, a charge requiring multiple crimes or multiple victims. Here I believe the specific charge requires multiple victims, making Ms. Sciorra’s testimony both relevant and admissible. But a NY criminal lawyer would know better. Sorry for all the legalese...
Btw, I believe her too.
10
If we don't want these things to happen, it's important to stop voting for and otherwise supporting or looking the other way at misogynists. This goes not only for what men support, but especially for what women do since they are the majority of people and voters. The casting couch was an open secret for many decades, like so many other tools of oppression. When someone talks about grabbing someone else's genitals, the proper response is to investigate sexual assault and abuse allegations against that person, not to vote for him because you think there are more important considerations.
23
I had a similar experience with a family member years ago. Yet I never told my parents or anyone else. I cannot even bring myself to speak of it now. It was so incredibly disgusting and frightening. All I can say is thank you to everyone who shared their story. I realized I'm not alone. Thank you.
32
@. You just spoke of it, that is great! I find that the more I manage to speak of the sexual abuse that I suffered the lighter I feel. It is so disgusting and frightening, but it was not your fault. You are not alone, there is a whole family of us out here, fellow victims on the road to healing, surviving and thriving, join us! There are support groups and caring therapists to guide us on this journey. You are not alone.
9
Even anonymously, it takes tremendous courage to face and speak about what was done to you. I'm glad you did, thank you for your courage. I hope you find someone you trust enough to talk to them. Peace and love to you!
5
So that the men in my life would understand how pervasive this is, I recently shared with my husband (most supportive person on earth) my stories of sexual harassment & assault and unnamed other women I know. Most assaults were by male dates, friends, NOT strangers. I don't remember exact dates, month, year, but the memories are detailed movie clips in my head. I also told my brothers (white, male, educated, mid-upper income) some of those stories through a private email -after one made a passing remark at a dinner party, with a smirk, about a gang bang room in college. I almost lost it at the time, took a long breath, and expressed my disgust at the table. The women nodded and men sat stone-faced. What response have I gotten from my brothers to my email after the dinner? Not a peep, not one word of even sympathy for their sister. I can't tell if it's indifference to my experience (which breaks my heart) or their own guilty memories (which breaks my heart). My heart beats faster now as I type. That's what this does. Don't be timid. Talk to & teach your boys well so that this can stop.
80
The comment that you’ve written here is extremely important. I really appreciate that you offered this. It speaks volumes about an important part of the problem - the inability of so many men to truly understand this issue and then be able to hold themselves and other men accountable.
9
This has nothing to do with whether she's telling the truth or not. But I believe her testimony should not be allowed at this trial. He is not charged with this crime. I understand the prosecution is trying to establish pattern, but it just does not feel right to allow it.
5
@Doctor Woo
It may not “feel right” but it is right.
2
Thank you, Ms. Sciorra.
Thank you for surviving. Thank you for not giving up.
Thank you for helping to teach all of our daughters, and all of our sons that though your humanity was grievously violated, your humanity has persevered through it all.
You are a great person. We admire you. I admire you
39
Thirty years ago, I was sexually abused by a family member. Years later he fully confessed and apologized to me, in writing.
And now, on my worst days, I will still deny to myself that it even happened. I will tell myself I made the whole thing up. Yes, I tell myself this despite a written confession. That's how a traumatized mind works. It doesn't want to accept that such a thing happened. So it takes a tremendous amount of internal fortitude to overcome all that and actually testify in court.
I also still have some contact with the abuser. I know, right. That is the complicated legacy that sexual assault leaves behind. It's why you don't want to talk about it unless you know for sure you will be treated with compassion as opposed to incredulity and character scrutiny. The former has been in very short supply for me, but for a trusted therapist and a few close friends. Otherwise, I still keep quiet.
60
Be well, Mimi.
Not your fault.
The world is full of monsters.
3
I am so proud of this brave woman! We believe you <3
36
There are predators around us everywhere. Their methods are not all the same. Predators don't always 'look' like predators, they come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and are opportunists. Women need to be vigilant, and avoid putting themselves in vulnerable positions.
28
I’ve enjoyed your work for years, Ms.Sciorra. You i will always remember - not the one who tried to make you less-than. I am so grateful to you and extend my loving support to you, as you reclaim what was yours all along.
29
I was a Professionally licensed therapist for 25 years. Mostly in private practice.
Part of that was learning along the way from so many individuals!
This lady tells the story of a woman, in the early 90’s that’s absolutely honest... in all except for this.....she’s still so effected, traumatized & dissociative enough she’s barely able to talk about herself & what happened to her! Still ! This is not uncommon!
I know..... I’ve listened,evaluated & learned from all the many abused women.
The many women of whom we now call survivors of sexual violence!
Survival?HOW SHOULD THAT BE AN END POINT.
THEY MUST RECLAIM WHAT WAS STOLEN, and DENIED TO THEM.... FROM THE MAN WHO STOLE “IT”!
The more open, supportive validation that can be provided...possible through court hearing’s.... has proven helpfully....& useful.
32
I was physically abused as a child and I don't remember virtually anything about my childhood. I blocked it all out. It didn't mean it didn't happen.
58
As a male I read these accounts of sexual assaults and am shocked by their hideousness and how many women have experienced it. I don't know any women who have, but I suspect they are not revealing it.
I was once physically intimidated by a famous person, who I was certain had a gun on him and wanted me to attack him back, so he could shoot me.
His enabler told me not to report it, that it wouldn't be good. The rage I felt at being intimidated left me furious for weeks. My manhood had been shattered, to this day I remember. I only found out about who he was when he was featured on the cover of the NYT magazine a few weeks later. The story confirmed what I had experienced.
This a long segue to say I can't even imagine what a woman must feel like to be sexually assaulted and the horrible and crippling feelings that come with it.
Weinstein should pay dearly for what he did. I hope the courts show him the mercy he showed his victims, which is NONE.
48
If you have the normal number of female friends and acquaintances, I guarantee you that several of them have been assaulted and/or raped. They just haven’t had a reason to tell you about it.
5
What possible motivation would Annabella Sciorra have for coming forward in a crowded courtroom thirty years after the fact, to describe a rape that this man committed? Knowing that she would be cross-examined by Weinstein’s attack dog lawyers and questioned by at least some members of the public? It took guts for her to do this. Justice is long overdue for this sexual predator. He will find it difficult to adjust to life in a maximum security prison, especially as a sex offender.
72
Reading these comments—absolutely sobering. Sexual assault is THIS widespread? I knew it, but I didn’t somehow KNOW it, until this moment.
35
“Mr. Weinstein’s lawyers maintain that the women willingly had sex with him to advance their careers...”
Wait. What? They’re claiming it was okay for a person in authority to put women in a position where career advancement depended on having sex with him?
Is this the best they can do?
44
It is hilarious to me that anyone could believe any emotion displayed by Sciorra. She is a very accomplished actress. She played many scenes in Sopranos with great skill displaying intense emotions very convincingly. How could anyone ever have confidence that they were not be played when watching her display intense emotions?
No one really knows the truth about any of the situations at issue in this trial (except for the parties involved, and even they probably have distorted memories due to the emotionalism of the moment then and since as well as due to the passage of so many years). But when an accomplished actor or actress testifies, you should never have confidence that you can tell between an act and a sincerely felt display. Anyone who is confident they can tell is only fooling themselves, or trying to fool others.
9
As a rape survivor, I choose to mistrust the people who make comments on the internet about how we should mistrust actresses because they have talent.
231
And what is her motivation to invade her own privacy, expose herself to the world and lie? What?
158
Who hurt you?
66
There is something very wrong with a system that let
Harvey Weinstein get away with what he did for years, because people were intimidated to criticize and expose him.
27
pkvls. yes. but it exists, it thrives and it has not gone away. its all around us, all of us. do you know a boss who uses fear and intimidation, instead of decency and good people skills? most of do or have, or will.
2
Do these males commenting realize the power Weinstein had in the business? He hired ex Mossad agents to smear any woman that accused him. These women were already traumatized.
43
The defense attorney said the women had sex with him to advance their careers.
What a pathetic defense.
Weinstein was like a wounded animal, out of control and taking advantage of women that he would never have known if not for his position as a movie producer.
Look at him and look at them.
Just like that other documented abuser, DJT.
37
Caesar landed on Egypt's coast, met Cleopatra and impregnated her. Before and after that occurrence, men in position of power have had sex, by force or consent, with women who got themselves alone with the powerful men. I assert that the men who took advantage of the women to have sex with them is deplorable. But the women certainly knew that getting into a room alone with the powerful man could easily lead to sex, and little else. I concur that men should not force themselves on women. But I don't believe that women volunteering to be alone with a man in a position of power expect anything but a sexual request.
8
@Roger Duronio
I agree with you but you only addressed 1/2 the issue. It is much more than that the women knew the likelihood when they meet privately with a powerful man. There is also the aspect that the women wanted something very valuable to themselves from the powerful man (in these cases it was usually movie roles for fame and lots of cash.
Isn't it curious that prostitution has been legalized in so many western countries, that feminists moral view of prostitutes is that they are just engaging in an occupation, yet it becomes rape if a woman trades sex for a high paid movie role?
5
@Roger Duronio My grandmother (born in 1912) taught me this as a preteen. Never forgot it. The passage of time will not change the rule--it will always be that way.
2
She didn't ask to be alone in her bedroom with him. Learn to read. He forced his way in.
73
Suffered from family and employer sexual abuse. 63. Educated. Not that that matters.Advanced degrees. Doesn't really matter.
Never had the $ to pursue legally.
Ashamed that didn't have the courage to speak out. Bravo young ladies
118
Women don’t murder. Women don’t rape. Women build and nurture. Female business leaders consistently outperform men.
Shall we try putting women in charge for a change?
92
@Lish Unfortunately these are myths that dont help anyone. Women are capable of doing the same horrific things that men are. Thanks to these cultural myths, it took me half a lifetime to realize that my mother aided and abetted my abusive father. I am a feminist and that means equality and freedom; women, like men can be terrible human beings.
2
@Lish, unfortunately woman absolutely murder and rape, just in much lower numbers, and yes, we would be better off with women in charge.
1
@Lish
Women murder, rape, molest children, start wars and order/inspire men to do all of those things against OTHER women's children.
This idea that women are morally superior to men is widespread and wrong. It's a bit of privilege that feminists don't want to lose.
1
I am terribly sorry for what Ms Sciorra went through. Younger readers may be surprised to learn that until recently, the onus was always on women to avoid compromising situations.
50
Until recently? I’m sorry to say that hasn’t changed. Women are still held responsible for any attacks on them whether it be who they socialize with, what they wear or what situations are seen as compromising.
42
@Jmo
Very much so, but before MeToo, there really was no public discussion of sexual assault at all. Women are still blamed & shamed for crimes committed against them, but there is the beginning of a real shift in the dialog thanks to brave women coming forward to share their experiences.
2
These comments that doubt Sciorra’s veracity because she’s an actress demonstrate the reason so many of us suffered in silence for so long. We are your wives, sisters, daughters who believe somehow we must have caused what happened to us.
There was a whole generation that reinforced that myth and guilt trip. Thank you to all the women who are publicly sharing this, it’s way overdue.
102
Brings one to tears.
22
hey folks, stop making up hard and fast rules about trauma and memory. its all anecdotal nonsense. not everyone forgets the details of an attack. some of us can provide the blow by blow, complete with environmental details, day and time! while some recall other aspects. we dont decide these things, we just remember what we remember.
but what is real, is that we all use certain common metrics to determine credibility. date and time. place, what did you do after, who were you with, who did you tell? its common to use these metrics to establish credibility. what would some of you suggest we use? and how do we change millions of years using them?
13
I didn’t tell anybody. I wouldn’t admit to myself what happened for over two decades.
11
Thank you, Ms. Sciorra.
33
It's important to remember these are professionally trained actresses providing this "searing," " tearful, " testimony in "excruciating detail."
It just so happens one of the excruciating details she can't recall is the date of the alleged rape. Oh well. It's not important to corroborate her story. Weinstein must be guilty if she's crying about it all these years later.
44
@Bilsimo - Except one of the women whose accusation is behind the criminal charge of a ‘criminal sexual act’ in this trail is a production assistant.
So no, it’s important to remember that not all the women who will be providing testimony in this trial are “professionally trained actresses”.
156
@Bilsimo
Honestly, you believe she is lying, simply because she can't remember an exact date of something which occurred almost three decades ago? As if that would be the specific detail she would remember, rather than the horrible events that are seared into her memory?
I get it: Weinstein deserves an aggressive defense, as anyone does. And yes, while there are instances of women lying about rape, they are so few and far between to be limited almost to sociopaths. I don't see Ms. Sciorra as a sociopath.
128
@Bilsimo
Please explain why the fact that she cannot remember the exact date means she's lying.
You can rely on neurology or logic, but you've gotta have something to support this assertion.
I can't remember the date that I heard my father assault my mother about 20 years ago, but I know it happened.
248
She’s making it up.
4
Rapists stick together.
59
The circumstances of this assault rises above those of poor judgment on the part of the victim, if you wanted to make that an argument (eg. why would you go alone to Weinstein's hotel suite at night for an 'official' business meeting?) In this instance, Weinstein was a predator hunting his prey, not a spider weaving its web. Rape is rape and I don't discount it under any circumstances but this is wreaks of an assault that was planned. A premeditated crime of personal and psychological injury
17
I pity those who can't see the reality of this, of this dude's history of monstrous treatment of women.
If you're still saying "Well, she (and the dozens of others) might be making this stuff up," I suggest you reconnect with your shrink so as to re-establish a working relationship with reality.
63
If the emotional scars endure for a lifetime why is there a statute of limitations on rape?
23
For the same reason that most crimes have a statute of limitations. The longer ago a crime happened, the harder it is to defend yourself. You forget where you were and what you did on that date, witnesses become unavailable, etc.
4
Despite the challenges of time/place details, the damage caused by rape/sexual abuse lasts a lifetime. There should no statute of limitations.
1
Who is this Donna Rotunno? She’s a monster. Second only to Weinstein...
12
It’s predictable he would pick a female to defend him. I recall Philip Morris used to haul out one of their few female execs in front of the media to defend their products.
9
I have zero sympathy for Harvey Weinstein, but honestly -- a 33 year old, educated woman in 1993 (a time when we all knew about rape, many prominent cases in the news, "date rape" was a known term, etc.) -- and she had no idea a man forcing himself into her hotel suite, and forcing a sexual attack on her was rape???? not even days or week later? not even after asking friends, therapists, colleagues or police officers? never even filled out a COMPLAINT?
I want very much to believe Ms. Sciorra, but frankly this is not a credible story. I don't know what happened, but my best guess is perhaps he attacked her -- or maybe a friendly drink and cuddling got out of hand -- or maybe she agreed to the sex, because she thought it would help her career (but afterwards was disgusted with him AND herself, and that's where her anger and rage come from)?
I wish I knew, but for gods sake -- if you ARE raped, REPORT IT -- if not for yourself -- then for OTHER WOMEN!
5
In 1993 or 94, I knew what date rape was because my friend was date raped and I urged her to go to the police. After hours hounding her, she agreed. That night, I accompanied her to the police department.
I don't remember the date.
In 1999, I was raped by a man with whom I wanted to make out. (He and I had been sharing hours-long phone calls for 3 weeks. I thought that we would make out on this, our first "date." I thought that we would continue to date, that he might become my boyfriend or even my husband one day. So, yes, I wanted to make out with him.
He became aggressive. I started to realize that he wasn't going to stop. I screamed "no!!"
My mind went into "logic mode." I began saying, then screaming, "This is not a joke. I'm not kidding. Please don't have sex with me."
Then, "It hurts!! Stop!! I mean it. STOP!!"
He raped me.
Long story short... By the next day, I no longer realized that I had been date raped.
I, the woman who had urged my friend to report her date rape to the police AND accompanied her to the police department... I had been traumatized to the point that I could not think clearly.
And I don't remember the date.
Trauma impairs a human being's ability to think straight.
To all of you UNtraumatized humans who can't wrap your mind around this reasonable concept... What's your excuse?
98
She and the myriad of other women who have come forward. You don’t have a clue.
8
You clearly have no idea how powerful this man was in the industry if you think it would have been smart for a woman to go to the police to complain.
20
For a good long time I had been wondering why this fine young actress had suddenly stopped making films. Now I know. Harvey Weinstein both assaulted her body and stole her career. Shame on him.
69
The fact that defense counsel's best cross-examination topic was Ms. Sciarro half-joking on the Letterman Show that she fibs when reporters ask her annoying questions is a very bad sign for Harvey Weinstein. Lawyers like to "save the best for last" when it comes to organizing their cross-examinations. If the Letterman appearance is really the best the Weinstein team has on her, I'd start planning for prison life if I were him.
38
As a man, I cannot comprehend how a man could get sexually aroused from sex with an unwilling partner, nor how he could think that this was not immoral behavior. The psychological disconnect is equally disturbing.
43
@humanistrape rape is not an act of sex. rape is an act of violence, no matter whether the rapist is known to the victim or a is total stranger.
1
The notion that this woman would make up a story like this is sexist in the extreme. Yes, there are women who have invented stories of being raped but their stories fall apart upon examination for the most part.
Weinstein is a slug who go away with committing sexual violence against many women for decades and now he's paying the price for his crimes, period.
36
So much brave commentary from readers. I'm humbled to witness so many way rise to the challenge of supporting one another in what way they can here. This simple forum can be so valuable in allowing people to share and maybe be healed a little or help another know they are not alone.
I hope Weinstein spends the rest of his days locked up, contemplating his fall and rotting away one long day at a time. He is a predator and a sociopath who damaged so many people for his own pleasure and sense of power.
180
@Name ....and worse yet, he continues, to this day, to believe he did nothing wrong and that he is the victim (ie: "people are out to get me") ....oy vay, lock this dangerous reject up ....for his own sake, as well as society's ....
18
It’s striking how many of us have experienced this type of violation. It doesn’t matter whether an actual rape occurred because the outcome is the same. Not to diminish those actually raped especially by strangers. It’s just the gray area is so large and the effects so devastating. How do you turn in a family member or friend or powerful person when the consequences are so great? It’s an impossible choice.
123
@Kim Rockit
“It doesn’t matter whether an actual rape occurred.”
Huh?
What must be considered is the degree of shame that distorts women's perceptions of what happened and, importantly, their willingness to see themselves as blameless and come forward. It was only last year during the Kavanaugh hearings that I told my sister of an experience that I had when she unequivocally said, "That was rape!" because she wasn't caught up in the self blame that I felt for even being in the situation. It runs deep in this hateful patriarchal society we live in.
229
This hit home to me. First time I told anyone what happened to me was during the Anita Hill hearing.
13
Weinstein's lawyers are using a "transactional" standard, that the women raped and assaulted by him were getting work in Hollywood in return. If we as a society went by this "transactional" standard, then anyone could be sexually assaulted at work by their boss and there would be no legal case against that boss because the person being assaulted is being allowed to work and receive income. And here it was that I thought we had laws against sexual assault on the job... .
208
Reading the comments here, it is clear that the chance is nil of getting a jury made up of impartial persons who will reach a judgement based solely on whether the facts proved establish the specific law violation alleged.
The chance of a fair trial in these types of cases is less zero.
7
Regarding this quote from the article:
“Several women are expected to testify during the trial that Mr. Weinstein attacked them, though Mr. Weinstein faces charges of rape and criminal sexual act based on the allegations of only two of them. The judge is allowing the others to testify to establish a pattern of behavior, even though most of their allegations are too old to qualify as crimes under state law.”
These allegations, if true, were crimes, and qualify as such. A statute of limitations precludes their prosecution, but does not change the facts. The crimes remain crimes, even if uncharged.
Neither a statute of limitations, nor even a presumption of innocence at trial doesn’t affect the actual fact of any person’s guilt. The crime became a crime, and the perpetrator guilty, at the time of the occurrence.
11
My God. It’s 2020. And one could think that nothing has changed. But I read this article, and the searingly honest comments by women who’s words are the same as mine. It doesn’t matter who we are, what we do, where we come from-our experiences are so identical. It makes me weep, it makes me exhausted and yet it makes me, perhaps, feel a sense of exultation and hope. We have to support each other. And the more we do so, the stronger we become!
Man-wouldn’t it be amazing if we ran the world?
38
Or, how about the best women and the best men run the world, and rapists do not.
5
@Dave Sshhhhhhh!
1
I was a producer on a movie that was picked up by Miramax in the eighties. We knew about this then, the stories were out there, and wondered out loud how he could keep getting away with this. It’s true alright.
74
@Anthony
The ONLY thing you really know is true is that you heard others claim it. No one knows the truth except the few people actually participating in the encounters.
4
@Anthony Why didn't you Guys say something?
22
@Lynne Shapiro Ah, you've hit it on the head. Just read in the NYer that a verrry prominent director, possible winner of the best movie oscar this year, knew that the female lead in two of his films - produced by Weinstein - had been raped by him, yet never opened his mouth about it. Now the director says he "regrets" not doing so. To me, this should be far more a topic of intelligent discussion than whether an actress is acting in the courtroom.
7
I’ve been working a sexual harassment case for three years against women defense attorneys who blame the victim for everything, even things the lawyers deny happened. Every possible objection is made and every motion that can be conjured up is filed by them, regardless of merit, with the primary goals of delaying the case and using up the plaintiff’s resources so as to drive her out of court. I’ve seen a lawyer lie in court and later scream in my face when no one was watching. It’s different from the article in that my case is civil, not criminal, but I’ve been shocked at how far the lawyers will go no matter how unethical, and saddened by the antics of women lawyers no less. What I realize most is how naive I am to be surprised at all~
45
@LadyLawyer
I think there is much merit in what you write. However, I suspect you believe every word Gloria Alred says.
Convenient double standard, no?
1
Attorney Rotunno has taken on a lousy client. I'm sure got paid up front...and won't get stiffed if and when HW ends up in prison. Which is where he is headed. Of that have little doubt. His life will end behind bars. Given his notoriety he'll be held in solitary confinement, served meals on paper plates, not have access to his phone or the internet and will need to learn to entertain himself with all the free time he has.. His life is effectively over. Cut.
20
Anyone who thinks Ms Sciorra's "confusion" and inability to remember some details show she is lying should read the incredible story I link to below. It is about a rape victim who mixed up some things and was disbelieved - even she came to doubt herself - until proof that she had been raped surfaced. After that, the police in her town changed the way they handle rape cases.
https://www.propublica.org/article/false-rape-accusations-an-unbelievable-story
47
I just finished the Netflix series, Unbelievable, about this case. Horrifying.
You have 80 or more women coming forward, all with similar stories?
They don't all know each other so they couldn't possibly all get together a conspire to set him up.
Harvey, you your private part are headed for a prison cell for life.....even in a liberal place like New York.
22
Little lies? More like silliness, saying “my father raised iguanas in the circus” is not comparable to accusing someone of rape and describing the assault. What a third rate defense attorney.
We’re listening to you Ms. Sciorra, with empathy.
70
Yes, we are!!!
14
What an advantage powerful men have. A whole Senate trial teeming with dispute and discord over something that should be easy to determine because anyone who can hear, read, or see, knows Trump’s defining characteristic is lying for his own ends, and compare that to trying to discredit Sciorra’s testimony about a rape by showing a Letterman clip and an unrelated story about circus iguanas. What a contrast and wholly different standard!
32
Her testimony was a bad decision by prosecutors. 30 year old allegations of rape suggest you’re opening with a weak hand. Nothing more current is a juror’s reaction. Sorry but that’s a fact. And the specifics of the rape bring back the DSK matter.
5
@Rollo Tomasi
It shows however that Weinstein abused women over decades. Documenting a history of abuse powerfully contradicts the defendant's assertions that these these attacks were "transactional."
6
@Rollo Tomasi - Respectfully disagree with you. The prosecutor’s starting with an incident from the early 1990’s and finishing with other, more recent ones tells the jury that this man is a vicious predator - a serial rapist - and has been for many years.
Rollo, this is just the beginning. Just wait...
Weinstein is not charged with raping Sciorra. Allowing her testimony in a criminal case is a very significant step away from a "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard.
Weinstein should be tried on the crime for which he was indicted.
7
I was raped between the ages of 9-10. Decades ago. I don’t remember exactly how old I was or the date(s). But it haunts me still.
65
As a progressive liberal who has long denounced capital punishment, I'm sorry to now be succumbing to feelings I would otherwise reject: Hatred, anger and the perpetrator's demise.
9
I was a sex crimes prosecutor in the 1980s and 1990s. Women were afraid. They didn't want their friends and families to know. They were concerned that they didn't fight back hard enough. "Date rape" was just beginning to be recognized as a crime. My next door neighbor was assaulted by Donald Trump but she never reported it because she was trying to become a model, and she thought he could hurt her career. I remember her telling me that "nothing happened," although her clothes were ripped and she was terrified.
118
There is no upside for a woman accusing a man of sexual attacks in any form. It is a painful, traumatic experience, with the ever present fearful shadow of retaliation. So to all the brave women who have to tear their hearts out again to put a stop to these criminals, we thank you for your courage and honesty.
77
The Me Too movement has been the best thing that has emerged from Trump's presidency. I didn't realize how badly I have been treated throughout my life, even as a young girl, until the Me Too Movement, and women sharing their personal stories. It has reframed my psyche. I'm stronger now, and wiser. Thank You Annabelle ❤️
46
This obsession with dates and details. I often mix up within a few days or years my siblings birthdays. Even worse, I could not tell you offhand the date and year one of my siblings died as a teenager. I know how old she was and how old I was, but my brain forces me to do the calculations every time. But, it definitely happened.
78
This is such an important point. Defense lawyers ask these questions about dates and times and when the victim can’t remember exact dates and times (Dr. Blasey Ford) the lawyers imply that the individual is not credible.
This process needs to b addressed by journalists in their accounts of testimony and lawyer’s behavior.
43
this is a long standing metric for credibility. even parents rely on it. "where were you? what time was it? where did you go after?"
what do we replace it with? especially when victims claim to recall other obscure details of the attack, but cant recall the day, the month...? claiming extreme emotional scarring, and many details, but normal credibility metrics are lost...?
we'd need to change human nature to stop using this method of establishing credibility. get to work on it, okay...?
6
You’re not alone in recalling exact dates - even our children’s important dates. But when it comes to remembering the date a person was raped, that’s a date that gets removed immediately from the brain. So sorry for your loss.
7
Listening to the commentary by defense attorneys on Court TV, who described the David Letterman tape as "defense gold", I was worried that there was a chance of acquittal. The opinions I have read here are reassuring. I am aware that there is a lot of testimony to come, but I am heartened.
7
So... I don’t think “everyone” deserves a rigorous defense.
I think everyone has a constitutional right to a rigorous defense.
But there are some people who do not deserve it. Harvey Weinstein is one of those people.
34
@Austin Ouellette You are making your comments based on media stories, they are not always right. Courts should have a different standard of evidence but often it is not very good. Look at all the innocent people convicted and some executed.
3
@Austin Ouellette
Sure, and why even bother with a trial? Might as well just lock him up.
/s
1
I felt sick to my stomach reading this wrenching story. In all liklihood, I will never lay eyes upon you, Annabella Sciorra. But if you are reading this, please know that like millions of others, I have the utmost admiration for your courage and wish you well.
180
I will add to the chorus of comments that are verifying the difficulty (or even impossibility) of victims' remembering the dates of their sexual assault or other details that people assume you ought to recall or be certain of.
When I was a young boy, I was sexually assaulted by our baby-sitter's daughter's fiance. It happened in a room with hardwood floors in an apartment that hadn't been fully moved into yet. A piano was the only piece of furniture there. I remember the legs of it. I absolutely cannot be sure of the year: I was somewhere between the ages of 7 and 10, but could I have been 11? Possibly. It was likely summertime, but I am not certain. I didn't tell any adult about it until I was in my 20s. I'm now 56.
What's memorable was the sensation of trying to get away, the physical insistence of the assailant, being held down, and then the babysitter's daughter coming in, finding us, still clothed, on the floor and saying something like, "how easy it is to fall asleep on a day like today," and then turning away and shutting the door behind her. I remember feeling hollowed out and confused afterward. I remember his glaring at me as we drove off later in someone else's car. But was he actually glaring menacingly? Or did I just perceive it that way when I later recalled him and what had happened? I don't know.
The patchwork nature of remembering trauma is common, and what others expect you to recall should have no bearing on whether you are to be believed.
211
You sir are right on. Thank you for sharing that.
58
I can easily understand why she can’t recall the date. We tend to remember dates that bring us joy, holidays, a loved one’s birthday, an anniversary. No one wants to recall the date something horrible happened, something to forget if one could, unless there is a reason to commemorate it, such as 9/11, to help heal.
But while the date can fade with time, the raw painful emotions don’t go away - perhaps never - without therapy and lots of love and support.
44
ml - no one wants to, but plenty of us recall in detail traumatic events. we dont decide what we remember.
there is so much made up memory "science", here its beyond embarrassing...
3
@ml EXACTLY. No one wants to recall the date, however the aftereffects can be devastating to a family through no fault of the victim. It's horrendously complicated. My family saw the aftermath of my being raped when I was 9 - my attacker finally left me, beaten and dazed, behind a cracked wall when he had pulled me away from the beach. I don't even know how I made my way back to the house. I will never forget the devastation on my mother's and grandmother's faces, the total confusion of my young siblings, and the rage and anger on my grandfather's face, when I stumbled through the door. It sure was/is hard being the reminder of something terrible, day after day, year after year. The shock lessens, but it's still there. We may not be talking about it, but a couple of years ago, we all decided to talk about it so it's not a toxic family secret anymore. I'm healing and my family's healing.
2
Once again, we see an extreme and very obvious gender divide in the comments. I’m 60 years old, and at least half of my close Female friends AND relatives have been the victims of Rape OR attempted Rape, in their lifetimes. Including my own Mother, as a teenager. Why are many, many Men refusing to believe Women ? Is it just denial of pain and abuse, refusal to believe nearly any action or event without “ witnesses “ or guilt and shame of their own gender ? I’m really curious and ready to hear theories.
I have a small suggestion. Ask your Wives, Sisters and Mothers. Hear their opinions about this case, and others. What have their Friends shared with them ? Do THEY believe Women concoct false allegations for Fun, or gain ? ASK THEM.
141
Why not ask the men? Seriously, by now many (not all) men may be ready to acknowledge what they did - often a long time ago.
17
Men don't consider rape an important crime. Some don't even consider it a crime. If they did, they would work harder to punish the men who DO rape their mothers, sisters, and daughters. There would be no statute of limitations on sex crimes. Rape kits would be immediately processed. Judges could not give light sentences. More people would report. Women would be believed.
But men make no effort to do that.
I disgusts me to think maybe subconsciously they all want to get away with rape at some point, so they keep that option open.
What IS the reason, guys?
39
@Phyliss Dalmatian its not about believing women, its about deciding before a trial that someone is guilty, i grew up believing that we are innocent until proven guilty, the metoo moment seems to have changed that, men are guilty until proven innocent. i am no fan of this man, and i had a young sister raped by a neighbor. but this guy is still innocent until proven guilty.
6
I still am puzzled that harassed and raped professional women did not speak up in the 1990's when Anita Hill made a national issue of sexual harassment. A lot of other women would have been saved from such misery.
I don't know why it was that I always spoke up when I was harassed--at 16 in 1963 by a camp manager, at 20 in 1967 by a guy who gave me a ride home from a waitress job, and at 21 in 1968 with other college dining hall workers --as an organized group no less-- against an assistant manager.
I am sure I was not alone in speaking up--that millions of women have. It would benefit all women for journalists to start writing about the women who spoke up. Not that we who speak up are more virtuous than those who don't speak up. However, this new focus would be great to create role models going forward.
23
@Lynne Shapiro, I can't speak for Weinstein's victims or any other person who was the victim of a sexual assault but I can tell you this. Women complain and are not believed or re-victimized or blamed or are dismissed. How do I know? It happened to me. I understand why a lot of women end up suffering in silence. You were lucky. Any woman who complained and was believed is lucky. Yeah, lucky. 'Cause it sure ain't the norm.
38
@Lynne Shapiro
I spoke up. And he confessed. On camera, no less. To this day, I have been diminished by my family including my own parents. That is why people, particularly women, do not speak up. You were fortunate, and likely supported by loved ones. The world is extremely unkind to victims of crimes, particularly if committed by men.
49
@Lynne Shapiro You are unusual. I am about a decade younger than you are, and an attorney. I never spoke up about the sexual harassment I experienced. I didn't want to be a "trouble maker" and there were few, if any protocols for what to do.
28
I was raped in 1983 by a man that climbed into my second floor bedroom window, held a gun to my head and raped me. A “legitimate” rape since it was a stranger. Even so my boyfriend blamed me for having the shades up. My father told me that provocative clothes can bring on unwanted advances. And that is for a rape that clear as day was not by someone I knew. So I can certainly understand the confusion and self blame that occurs when someone you know rapes you. But it is all the same. VIOLENCE against a woman.
327
@Bezerkley That makes me cry because by 1983 there was such a rising awareness of rape as a crime against women by women's liberation era feminists--that it was not our fault, that we did nothing wrong especially if a guy held a gun to our heads!
Some of our ideas brought about some cultural changes such as changes to rape laws, rape crisis centers, take back the night marches, rape units at emergency rooms, and eventually Law and Order Special Victims Unit.
However, our message obviously didn't spread wide and deep enough by 1983 as to the attitudes of men in your family and was not kept in mind for decades for women to organize and/or speak up.
What can feminists now do better going forward now.
22
@Lynne Shapiro, it's not up to feminists to change this or correct it. Women activists have done their part. Greater awareness and more importantly, accountability, from law enforcement and the courts.
25
@Bezerkley So sorry you went through that. Your's is an important story for helping people see the female persecution in their own violation. I wish you safety and peace.
26
I believe rape should have no limitation in the law. If people could prove it occured even without medical proof (for instance, therapist testimony and other people they told at the time corroborating them), then rapist would never be free of their crime. After all, some get away because the trauma prevents the victim from speaking up about it to the police right away.
Of course, there would have to be safeguards to prevent false claims.
15
@dfhamel
Carolyn Bryant lived in a culture in which _certain_ women were always believed provided they accused _certain_ men or even children of sexual assault.
Bryant and company were just fine with murdering Emmitt Till based on her lies. I don't want to go back to that culture.
If there is no evidence of a crime the accused must go free. So far Bryant has gotten away with murder.
The idea that women are uniquely moral and always tell the truth is wrong. And when you unpack that belief, people who hold it tend to have some very ugly ideas about men.
7
I was in line behind Annabella Sciorra at Kim's Video in the Village way back in the early 90s. All I remember is how tiny she was. A little wisp of a woman. She also looked a lot like my mom. Thinking of her being assaulted by that bear of a man is deeply disturbing. I hope this trial ends in justice for her and his other victims.
115
Annabella Sciorra is a hero. Thanks for women such as she.
110
To me, this kind of reckoning was the promise of what the me-too movement represented.
There were times when I've felt that the net cast by this movement had captured people that should not necessarily have been in it, because their transgressions did not rise to the level where that individuals life and livelihood should have been destroyed.
Clearly, in the case of Mr. Weinstein, that is not the case. Without knowing all the details, the preliminaries of this are so incredibly vile and sordid, that is grieves me deeply that it has taken us so long for these people, our laws, and our society to come to grips with this.
I, for one, had no idea whats-so-ever of the depth and all pervasiveness of this kind of truly evil and despicable behavior.
So, to all those who helped bring this movement into existence, and to all those who continue to expose and denounce these terrible things - at great personal cost - I wish to say thank you. Thank you for opening my eyes, and so many others, to something that was all around me, yet I had for so long failed to see.
46
@Chicago Guy "to something that was all around me," Still is all around you. Speak up immediately if you see it.
I don't recall the date or even the precise year of my own experience, other than it happened about 53 years ago, when I was about 14; I don't even remember the man's face that clearly. But I remember what happened and where we were and the confusion and shame I felt afterward. I don't think about it often, but when I do, the pain is immediate and visceral. I have spoken about it to very few people. I know I would find it very hard to speak about it publicly.
I stand with you and for you, Annabella Sciorra. What you have done today is incredibly brave.
357
So are we teaching this generation of girls and boys to help stop this? Or are we just assuming that someone is doing so, or that they'll just figure it out from reading stuff like this? (Not that it's just their job, or that past crimes don't matter, or that adults can't learn, or that there aren't many other aspects to this.) There is a discussion coming about women fighting. People don't want to have it yet.
15
@Bob
Annabella is fighting, the best way she can. Women who don’t fight back during an attack are trying to survive. It’s a calculus you can’t understand unless you’ve ever been smaller, weaker, and caught entirely off guard.
54
@Bob
No lessons necessary because even children KNOW sexual assault is wrong. What needs to change is the reckoning of the predation.
7
@Bob We women are tired of fighting, so tired of our culture's approach to changing things. To date, the responsibility to change has been us, the females, to adapt what we wear, where we go, what we say, how we talk, how we hold our drink (to avoid drugging), where we park, exercise, live...the list goes on (see link below).
Now the push is for bystander intervention to help a woman (or anyone) being harassed, abused or worse (shame that there has to be a push for that). The above approaches, btw, have been the same for racial discrimination.
Where is the push to change the conditioning of those that abuse so they face consequences & shame FROM THEIR OWN? When will the responsibility change from the victim or the bystander to the perpetrator AND their protectors?
Jackson Katz, The Macho Paradox: Why Some Men Hurt Women and How All Men Can Help
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/905315-i-draw-a-line-down-the-middle-of-a-chalkboard
1
Reading these comments simultaneously breaks my heart into a million pieces, but fills it again with love, sympathy and empathy for all of you who are maybe for the first time, putting into words what happened to you as a child, as a teenager, or as an adult. It may have been 40 years ago like it was when I was kidnapped, beaten, strangled, and raped when I was 9, or maybe it was yesterday, but we survivors still can react like it just happened. That's what an intense fear of imminent death does to a person. I can't remember the date, but my brain sure can remember the fear, and my body remembers it too. I find myself still holding my breath for no reason at all - I don't want to die, I don't want to die, I don't want to die.
Those who brush off our fears and nightmares - may you never experience what I've went through, because it takes a lifetime to put yourself back together, and soldier through. Some people might think that Ms. Sciorra is weak, but I know that she is incredibly strong. You've got to be to survive this, and man, what a courageous woman to take the stand.
I thank her for speaking out, and I certainly appreciate all these commenters who are doing the same. I'm not alone; you're not alone, even though I sure wish none of us had this in common. Godspeed to you all.
259
@Surviving So beautifully said - thank you.
39
@Surviving A kidnapping, a strangling, a rape... and you survived. My God. This world can be brutal.
20
@Surviving Very sorry to hear about what you endured. Thanks for your courage in sharing with us. Hope things are OK.
17
I would like to leave this comment for all of my fellow survivors who are here sharing their stories, here. I want all of you to know that it is never too late to seek services for what you went through, no matter how many years or decades have passed. Nearly every area has a sexual assault / domestic violence center, and most provide some form of free or very discounted trauma informed therapy, and I think that pretty much all of them have a 24 hour support line if you are currently triggered by reading this article.
There is no expiration date on pain, but with trauma informed therapy (which is very different than standard talk therapy and / or meds and with real, permanent, and much better results) it is possible to heal and recover much of what was taken from you. Much love to you all, and best wishes on your journeys. It is never too late to heal. <3 <3
99
@Debbie Penetration Thank you for saying this. An incredibly important message.
24
@Debbie Penetration
Good place to make these helpful suggestions. It has been a rough few years for survivors reading the news. But this last year I got EMDR has been very helpful to me. I am so grateful to have found so much relief nearly 40 years later and starting 2020 with more peace.
28
I absolutely believe Sciorra and have had similar experiences, never reported.
But admitting testimony that's comprised of unproven accusations (or those made so long after the attacks) does seem like a slippery slope.
Yet for so long, the culture has shamed women who've been assaulted as reporting/prosecution put trauma victims through even more trauma through a public examination of their "virtue." This, of course, has been an insurance policy for men who sexually assault or rape.
It's been a vicious circle, discouraging prosecution, then blaming women for not coming forward, further discouraging reporting.
With this monster Weinstein, it seems as if his assaults were always so blatant and defiant that surely those actions can be proven in court.
19
Cases like this really leave me torn as to the repellent behavior of defense attorneys. Every accused person deserves a vigorous defense. I just have to remind myself of that, over and over.
30
@QTCatch10 : my thought, too. Not a job I could do, but it's necessary.
6
@QTCatch10
Every single attorney has a choice. Don’t be misled into believing they do not. Also, using techniques such as smearing the character of a victim, lambasting the poor details of memories (they know what disassociation is,) is a nasty, inexcusable technique. Desperation shows.
8
I believe her. May God give her strength.
I don’t remember the date I was assaulted walking hoMe from school by three boys in my 8th grade class. I remember the grabbing and pure fear. I cowered like a scared dog. Another boy came and chased them away and I am forever grateful. It was terrible but it could have been much worse.
97
How can the allegation that Harvey Weinstein committed another similar alleged crime be allowed into the courtroom when it was never prosecuted?
Why not simply prosecute him based on the evidence connected directly with these alleged crimes for which he is being tried?
Bringing Anna Sciorra to the witness stand in this case does not bring justice to her, either. A first step toward that would be to address the arbitrary rule that holds it is too late to prosecute Weinstein for allegedly raping Sciorra.
9
@David Did you read the article? It establishes a pattern of behavior. Evidence of past crimes is admissible if you're trying to demonstrate that the rapist, Weinstein, did this kind of thing all the time. That's exactly what "Anna" Sciorra and the other witnesses whose rapes went unpunished are establishing. He is charged with a specific count that involves predatory behavior, not just one or two individual rapes.
52
@QTCatch10
I did read the article. I also read the first line of this forum, calling for civility.
Your response leaves out words like "accused" and "alleged."
Weinstein is alleged in all sorts of misdeeds. How can an earlier allegation strengthen a current allegation if the earlier allegation was never litigated?
4
David, when you have dozens upon dozens of similar allegations over decades, it’s called a pattern of behavior. It says, look, this guy did it 60 times before so this recent victim is probably telling the truth.
2
She is so brave.
66
And to think we have someone just like this criminal as our president, but he gets a pass. Incredible.
All the best to Ms. Sciorra and the other victims, who will undoubtedly be attacked by ignorant people with nasty comments etc. She and the others telling their stories are brave and strong, and thousands of women appreciate and applaud them.
120
I guess the price was right for Donna Rotunno to take on the role of the token woman on this monster's legal team.
38
@Kathy McAdam Hahn - When you demonize defense council you know that you have lost the argument. This is the United States, and all Americans should be able to have their say in court.
13
@Lyndon It's no coincidence that she is a woman. It's an attempt at manipulation by the defense team. It has little to do with mounting the best possible defense of a client and everything to do with trying to cast doubt on an extremely credible witness. They're throwing everything at this, an act of desperation.
27
@Kathy McAdam Hahn - In the early 1990s I hired a female lawyer to represent me in court and she represented me well. At the time I was accused of hiring her because she was a woman.
I don't like Weinstein, he seems like an ugly little man who may guilty of heinous crimes against many women. I think he'll be convicted.
Have faith!
7
I feel deeply for Ms. Sciorra as well as for other victims of sexual assault as I too was one. My sophomore or junior year in college, early 1980s. The term 'date rape' had yet to be coined. I didn't tell a soul about my experience. I was a virgin until the incident and I was made to believe there was something wrong with me because "I couldn't just enjoy it." I didn't realize what had happened to me until years later and with the support of my parents and an outstanding therapist. Remembering the dates is immaterial. The memory of being violated never leaves you, even decades later. Ms. Sciorra's profession shouldn't be a factor regarding the validity of her memories. If I were to relive those moments. I'd likely break down too.
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@SpinMom "The memory of being violated never leaves you, even decades later." So very sad and so very true, as can be seen not only in Ms. Sciorra's heartbreaking testimony, but also in the many comments here from people (men as well as women) who are recalling similar experiences.
31
@SpinMom I believe you. You don't have to 'relive' those moments, but you can find a qualified therapist and get help to feel some relief and unburden yourself and this memory/experience you are carrying (alone, though not alone, as you can see here) in some ways , if you choose to. Thank you for coming forward. I believe you, and feel very sorry this happened to you. Best wishes for some safe and real 'healing' now.
3
My neighbor and best friend's brother attacked me in their parent's house. I don't remember the date, except it was probably 50 years ago. He was much older than me and married. I managed to get away from him before he could get too far.
Years later I was spending the night at my sister and brother-in-law's house on the couch. Again I don't remember the date except it was probably about 45 years ago. In the middle of the night, he came down and started attacking me. I fought him off and threatened to scream so it ended before he got too far.
This is the first time I have told anyone about these incidents. It doesn't mean they didn't happen.
429
@Joe I had a date-rape experience, too, many decades ago, when I was 16 and the attacker 22. I'd thought I'd got past it long ago, until reading the obit of my attacker's father in yesterday's newspaper. He was a fine man and great humanitarian who I much admired, but I am hesitant to attend the funeral. I am afraid of seeing my Ivy League attacker again. I can't believe I still feel this way.
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@Bella Wilfer Can you imagine having to see my brother-in-law for another 44 years until he died last year? I have never told my sister and never will. Fortunately nothing much happened...but still...
66
I think you are very brave for doing so now.
45
I feel for Ms. Sciorra, and can’t imagine she would come forward like this if she did not feel her truth. But, despite what I my think about Mr. Weinstein, I find myself feeling that the rules of law must prevail. I would find it difficult to put a man away for life based on nebulous recollections, despite the psychological mechanisms that might contribute to their being imprecise. This coupled with the fact that no crime was reported 25 years ago leaves me wary. I know I’ll get backlash for saying this, but when I think of the possible repercussions for all future cases where recollections of sexual assault can be nebulous, imprecise and without corroboration, it seems a dangerous precedent.
23
“Ms. Sciorra’s complaint is too old to be prosecuted as a rape under New York law, but prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office hope her allegation can support a charge of predatory sexual assault. To prove that charge, which carries a possible life sentence, prosecutors must show he committed a serious sexual offense against at least two people.”
26
@Lola
Well said. I agree 100%. There is no physical evidence, third party witness account or defendant confession concerning a decade old accusations.
That said he probably has sexually assaulted/raped at least one of his accusers because he could. One of the perks of the privileged class of white men in power.
You are very right about the slippery slope this case is headed for. Remember all the black men who have been imprisoned or lynched in America because of similar accusations.
7
@Lola
Nothing about her recollection sounds nebulous or imprecise. Care to share with the class what details you think are missing?
You know what also sets a dangerous precedent? Claiming that women need to have flawless memories of their attacks (impossible) and that there needs to be "corroboration." Why is this dangerous? Think about how sexual assault often happens. Two people alone. If men know that the testimony of the woman he attacked isn't enough to convict him, then he knows he's free to rape with impunity. How convenient for rapists.
What a perfect situation for him. What an easy crime to commit. Just hold down a woman who is weaker than you and claim it was consensual. Her testimony won't be enough because it won't be "corroborated" and it'll probably be "imprecise," because she has a human brain, and then you're free to go.
Fabulous.
103
I was attacked by a respected dentist in Washington, DC in the late 70's. I didn't report it and that is one of the biggest regrets of my life. I didn't realize at the time that my silence would enable him to do this to more victims. So here I am, so many years later and I'm the one who carries the guilt and shame because I didn't speak up.
256
@Denny Dear Denny, may you be at ease.
18
I’m so sorry this happened to you. You have nothing to be ashamed of, quite the opposite; you are very brave, and I admire your courage deeply. I hope you have been able to find peace.
15
@JHS
Thank you for your kind words. I was just a teenager at the time. I was able to fight him off and so I moved on with my life, still unaware that not talking could mean other victims. Years later, hearing so many people discredit victims for not speaking up sooner or at the time of the attack, that's when the shame really hit me. All I can do now is try to be a voice for victims and perhaps a response to their critics.
4
I was molested in the 1950's when times were different. Tell that to my psyche.
74
I was molested by a male teacher when I was in the eighth grade. it stopped short of rape, but nevertheless it devastated me. I can't remember the dates when the attacks occurred. I never told anyone back then because I was ashamed and thought I might somehow be to blame. when I ran into the teacher 30 some odd years later, it took me a while to rekindle the anger, fear and shame I had experienced. I was still that confused. I finally told someone about it-- first a therapist and then my wife--when I was in my sixties. My point is that I understand how much courage it takes to come forward and tell the truth about being a victim.
423
@Ncsdad "I never told anyone back then because I was ashamed and thought I might somehow be to blame. "
I understand. That is exactly how I felt when I was molested by a complete stranger on a city bus when I was 14.
72
@ncsdad. I, too, understand.
23
I believe you, Ms. Sciorra.
269
Praying for you Annabella
72
Weinstein’s attorney argues that the crimes alleged by some witnesses - Sciorra included - happened at a time when (paraphrasing) “times were different.” She (yes, sadly, she) claims it doesn’t excuse Weinstein’s behavior but that such should be understood in that context.
So, we are now to believe that it’s only recently that “no means no” and that men who raped and abused women in, say, the ‘90’s simply made a mistake in assuming that women really “wanted it.”
While every person, no matter how disgusting they are, is entitled to a defense, Weinstein’s attorney’s (Sidney Powell) remarks as above are as repugnant as the man she chose to defend.
490
@Robert Times weren't different then in the 1990's and well before that.
Rape as a crime against women was advanced by Women's Liberation Era Feminists along with a best selling 1975 book, and shortly afterward rape as a power play crime ideology entered the culture as to changes in rape laws, rape crisis centers, rape units in emergency rooms, and take back the night marches.
Sexual harassment was brought forth as an issue in the late 1970's and the Supreme Court made its ruling against sexual harassment in the late 1980's. Then Anita Hill testified against Clarence Thomas sexual harassment in 1991.
The times were not different.
28
@Robert -Thank you, Robert, for this empathetic, well-informed, compassionate reply. You would make a fine juror in any such or similar type of
jury. Weinstein’s female lawyers are a betrayal of everything the feminists and other decent women of every era have fought for. #Shameful
5
I am a 37 year old man who was sexually assaulted as a child by an older guy on a playground, late in the evening. I don't remember his name. I don't remember the day, the month, or the year. I don't remember which grade it was. I don't remember how I went home or what I did. All I remember after all these years is his face and what he was doing to me. And the shame that I felt after I got home. A shame that made me not tell this story to anyone till I finally broke down in front of my therapist a couple of years ago.
Weinstein is a criminal, and so are all the other people who sexually assault others. I believe each and every single woman who have accused Weinstein. Cause if victims like us do not believe other victims, who will?
722
Thank you for your decency and compassion, Pour Over.
I'm sorry that happened to you.
It's not your fault.
You are brave and wonderful.
Glen
59
@Pour Over So sorry that happened to you. I hope you're healing now.
28
@Pour Over
"I don't remember his name. I don't remember the day, the month, or the year. . . All I remember after all these years is his face and what he was doing to me. And the shame that I felt after I got home."
This is exactly how I felt. I can still picture his face so clearly and the horrible things he did to me.
Thank you so very much for sharing your pain and for trusting readers to understand.
Your comment broke my heart.
I hope you are healing a little bit every day and wish you continued healthy progress with your therapist.
Take care of yourself and always remember that you did absolutely nothing wrong and none of what happened was your fault.
43
Testimony from 25 years ago??? seriously, that is just ridiculous to allow someone to testify to what they allege as a crime that wasn't reported 25 years ago. It is not that I don't believe her testimony, just my opinion is it is believable, but that is just my belief. Convicting a person with a life sentence requires really high standards of evidence or should, we have executed and sent too many innocent people to prison. I have taken courses on eyewitness testimony and even accounts of recent events are riddled with error, with two people having contrasting accounts, but 25 years ago the accounts are worthless.
12
@wayne griswald You don't understand anything about trauma, power dynamics, etc. I hope you never have to experience such things.
97
@Lillies That is not what the trial is about, It is about certainty of the claims made by the state.
4
Her testimony is offered only as evidence of a pattern of behavior, not as evidence of the crime alleged. There is plenty of other evidence.
68
@Jan_Ransom @alanfeuer - the headline (and several passages) uses the phrase, "the night /she said/ she was attacked" - why did you choose to include "she said"? That tiny addition feels like the NYT is setting the reader up to question her testimony.
3
@Reader Until he is found guilty of something, that thing is “alleged.” And in her case, it can’t be tried. So, sadly, it will always be “alleged.” To say otherwise would set up the NYT for libel.
15
So why can't trump be prosecuted?
39
@11b40 : he could be, in theory, but nobody has filed ANY credible charges. Weinstein is being tried, because there were charges brought on fairly recent incidents.
I have not read about any cases of assault claims about Trump more recently than about 20 years ago. Some date from more than FORTY years ago! and only came to light when he was elected. Coincidence, that.
2
Trump’s assault claims lessened over the years, as he got older. We know he takes medication for ED. That’s why there aren’t more recent claims.
2
Not a coincidence. Like the song goes, what’s too painful to remember, we simply choose to forget. When your attacker is in the news like Kavanaugh and Trump, it can’t help but to bring back horrific memories. That’s why Cosby finally faced justice...it sadly took a village of victims and decades of not being believed.
1
Wow. These attorneys defending Weinstein must have some Olympic-level moral flexibility. Yeah everyone deserves a fair trial, but I’d fake an injury before I’d represent this guy.
75
@Bryant -- The right to counsel is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment of the Bill of Rights. Reading the angry comments of those who proclaim that they "believe" the accuser, one is struck by their indifference to core democratic rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
9
@Bryant : he needs ample defense for any conviction to hold water . I say, bring on the best. Try appealing, Harvey.
1
@Morris
Readers and commenters reacting and empathizing with the testimony of a compelling witness —- especially if they have parallel trauma experience —- has nothing to do with being indifferent to core democratic rights.
One can support democratic rights and a concept of a fair trial with prosecution and defense without being obliged to be admirers of any of the particular people who happen to be carrying out those duties.
5
I was attacked but not raped. It was 1986. Or maybe it was 87. It was winter. I know where I was and who was there. But I have no idea which month, let alone which day.
115
@A Little Grumpy
I was wearing black patent leather loafers with thick soles, a Levi's denim jacket buttoned all the way up to the top, and a black, merino wool turtleneck that cost ¥10,000 at Seibu Department store. I bought the turtleneck in November 1985.
But I don't remember what year it was that I was assaulted. Go figure.
10
Please, lock this guy up and throw away the key. If nothing else, it will be a warning to all the other men who have abused their power by sexually assaulting women. It's time we get serious about this epidemic..
44
Absolutely not trying to be you-know-what but on this matter one has no choice but to think that in the 90s and 00s rape was no criminal offense in USA (and certainly not before that time). So many cases resurface now in which the offender, alleged offender, is without any chance in the court of public opinion and the cases are exclusively hear-say that often start with '15-20y ago ...'. Just trying to understand.
1
Read the comments and you should begin to understand.
21
@ss Rape has been a criminal offense for hundreds of years.
5
Why don’t you talk to your mother, aunt, sister, daughter, wife. Maybe they can help you understand.
This guy gets a trial? I've heard enough.
5
Annabella is really brave to do this. I'm sure she doesn't really want to have to talk about it and it must be very hard to so publicly after keeping it inside all those years. It is frightening to read that he still came after her years later. She suffered a lot of pain and self-harm is evidence of her trying to deal with that pain.
89
My high school friend, by her brother in law.
My roommate in college, by her father.
A college friend, during a house burglary.
My sister in law, by her grandfather.
All of these, confirmed abuses. Beyond this, rumors of more. This is my personal knowledge. Every women must have a similar list. Women know how widespread the pestilence of sexual abuse is in our culture. Add all the sexual harassment. It seems there is a true sickness in the culture. These stories are not rare... they are just rarely shared.
We can be deeply grateful for the strength and determination Sciorra and many others have shown over the past several years in engaging in the difficult effort to hold these transgressors accountable on the public stage and through judicial and administrative remedy, as the case may be.
Thank you, Ms. Sciorra, for your courage. Those like Annabella Sciorra, Diana Nyad, Christine Blasey Ford, the many other brave Weinstein and Cosby accusers are heroes, holding these contemptible men accountable. They give a voice and a vision of justice and healing to others so injured and courage to those who may encounter abusers. Thank you all many times over.
484
@Bird I have tears reading this. So very well stated. Thank you.
44
@Bird I have a similar list, and unfortunately it includes me.
49
In any group of women, many or most will have at least one experience of sexual attack. It's a sick culture.
53
Courage, courage, in its unblemished form. Thank you.
223
What I do know is that it takes a lot of guts, inner strength and courage for a woman to come forward and testify in public and in great detail how a man sexually assaulted her.
Bravo to the women who will be testifying against Weinstein. A sincere and heartfelt thank you on behalf of someone who never had the courage to come forward.
I sincerely hope Ms. Sciorra will find some peace.
651
@Marge Keller
Amen, MK. Personally, I would be too furious to be in the same room with the Monster. I’d have to be restrained.
30
@Phyliss Dalmatian
Such extreme emotions flood my senses when I think of what Ms. Sciorra was forced to endure and then having the courage to not only retell the horrific events, but doing so in front of this despicable monster.
Just being in the same room with such a monster would take all the strength I could muster to not throw up, much less not hurt him in ways I cannot write because they would not be printed (thank you NYT).
42
@Anti-Marx
With the utmost respect, whenever a statement like "Rape is horrible, but I doubt it takes much courage to come forward" is made, I have to wonder if that person was ever a victim of such a heinous crime.
I know many women who have been sexually assaulted and have never come forward for a plethora of reasons. Years later, they are still afraid, terrified, and have great difficulty talking about it, even to a close personal friend, much less in front of a jury or even the attacker.
I think it's easy and safe to speculate that it doesn't take "much courage to come forward" if a person has never been sexually assaulted.
60
In my experience in college from a girlfriend being raped walking home in the night it creates a desire for the victim to black out absolutely everything as if one could cut those moments out of ones life and wish they had never happened.
The feeling of powerlessness can be devastating and can take years to undo the damage and even more to confront the assailant if they can be found.
251
@Chris
It never goes away Chris. Never.
24
Thank you for this extremely accurate comment about what I suspect many/most victims wish to do. I will deal with my 2012 experience at some point, but for now it’s in an area of my being that I choose not to visit, as much as humanly possible.
5
My mom bought a book in the 80s titled “I never called it rape” by Robin Warshaw. In it, she describes how a man she had never met followed her to her apartment and violently raped her and then how confused she felt about what had happened. If, in the 80s, a woman could be confused about what seems like a textbook definition of stranger rape, I can imagine how Ms. Sciorra could be confounded by what Weinstein did to her. The shame and stigma of sex — much less sexual violence— is powerful, and it even has its grips in smart, educated women.
618
@Farina So well said. Thank you.
32
@Farina ... even more so in smart, educated women looking for roles in movies...
5
Annabella Sciorra Is very brave and clearly a cultivated mature lady. Most people don’t report a rape I’m sure - especially when it occurs in one’s own apartment. “No one will believe you.” Or just not wanting another ordeal. I’m pretty sure that most women after being raped in their own homes try to just immediately deal with the psychologically trauma and don’t run out immediately to the ER and report it. Particularly when the rapist is in her social and business circle. That’s too bad but that’s life and this is a man who - like all sociopaths - could read people better than most.
119
Bad news for Harv - sneaky lawyer tricks won't work here because he doesn't have any wall to sell or right wing judges to offer anyone.
44
@True Believer Or enabling friends in high places like Hillary Clinton.
3
She's going to get crucified, and it's too bad. It's because of the date thing. Someone who was that high profile in 1993-94 (The Hand That Rocks The Cradle) would most definitely have had an assistant and a calendar. Barring any mental illness or disease, most adults can generally remember where they were on any given month during their 20s and 30s, and would know if during one of those months (or at least a season) they experienced a violent attack. I believe that this happened to her, but I'm unclear why she can't pinpoint within a 2 year period when it happened.
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@S. Carlson She says "late 1993 or early 1994" which to me means probably December 1993 or Jan 1994. So not a two year period, but probably she remembers it happened that winter, that it was cold outside. It's a few month span that makes sense.
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@S. Carlson I doubt an assistant would know every time she went out to eat.
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@S. Carlson
Ridiculous. That was 25 YEARS ago. I couldn’t pinpoint exactly where I was and what I was doing. Without some major excavation of paperwork and speaking with Relatives. Maybe She didn’t keep good records, and it’s not like she had timecards for Work. “ The winter months between 1993 and 1994 “. THAT is, at most, a Six month period, NOT two years.
I believe every single word. I truly wish her the best, and wish for Justice.
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Being attacked or assaulted in anyway discombobulates the victim. It can be very hard to understand what is happening, and hard to process afterward. I was once the victim of an indecent assault and battery, and though I remembered seeing the assailant and having a conversation with him, I did not remember the assault until two days after it happened. Though false accusations do happen, I find this victim credible. She is telling the truth, whether she can remember the precise date or not.
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Ms. Sciorra is a superb actress.
Her story is extremely disturbing and frightening. It takes guts for her to come forward in this media circus and she has my gratitude for testifying.
I believe her.
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@fast/furious
I agree!
I believe her 1000% - never doubted nor questioned a single word she has stated - EVER.
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When my friend was raped in the 80s, we didn't use that word. "Rape" was something done by a stranger in a dark alley, not by someone you knew. It didn't occur to us to call the police. But we all knew that what had happened was wrong.
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@Ella Date Rape was a very well known term in the 80s.
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@Bilsimo Youhave no idea how surreal it is to endure forced sex, and the aftermath, and how your brain scrambles to block out knowledge of what happened and make sense of what happened all at the same time, during the event and forever after. You just haven’t had that experience, and apparently you don’t want to listen and learn from those trying to share their experience with you.
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@Bilsimo: I don’t know how old you were in the 80s, but “date rape” definitely was not a term often used at that time. There were some academic and literary references, but there was not a widespread cultural understanding of this crime. You might be able to argue that society was just beginning to recognize the concept of date rape in the very late 80s, but that’s about it.
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First I don't know what the answers are about appropriate evidence in these cases but it looks like they are trying to convict Weinstein using unproven testimony of incidents separate from the one he is charged with. I know the legal principle of establishing a pattern of behavior, but in this case the accounts are just testimony, if they had some collaborating evidence associated with them I would feel totally different about them. The proper evidence for conviction of sexual predation charges are problematic, but it seems to me you need more than testimony that was reported years after the event happened.
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@wayne griswald
But witnesses are evidence. Most rapes don't happen in public, so it is the victim that provides the evidence. It's unfortunate that Ms. Sciorra did not report this at the time it happened (it might have helped save a lot of other women from this creature) so that physical evidence would have been found and perhaps a trial and conviction. But understand that women can be treated harshly for doing this (it's their fault for being attractive so maybe they deserved it, as an example).
None of this lessens the pain and suffering she had at the hands of this ogre, nor the trauma that appears to have followed her since the crime. And of course the judge will need more testimony, but this is an important part of it, as she is a direct witness to HW's character and intent.
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@wayne griswald How is the prosecution supposed to show evidence of Weinstein's crimes when they've all been done in private? Discounting witness testimony to establish a pattern of behavior is beneath our judicial process. Besides, has your head been stuck in the sand for the last 30 years?
34
@lars It's a complicated issue as I mentioned, but testimony by itself is rarely sufficient. evidence, particularly when it is obtained years after the fact, it is just too prone to error. If I go to the police and tell them I was robbed and beaten up three years ago, but didn't want to report it then because I was afraid, there is not much the police can do.
9