Harvey Weinstein allegations open floodgates for harassment stories
Another accuser speaks, movie mogul's legal adviser resigns as debate about workplace conduct reopens
What began as a New York Times investigative report into harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein has spiralled into further accusations and a larger debate about misuse of power in the workplace.
An L.A. journalist is the latest woman accusing the renowned film producer of sexual misconduct. Lauren Sivan told the Huffington Post that Weinstein cornered her at a restaurant a decade ago — when she was a local reporter in New York — exposing himself and masturbating in front of her.
The film executive, known for churning out Oscar-winning films such as Shakespeare in Love, The King's Speech and The Artist, is on "indefinite leave" from the Weinstein Company pending an internal investigation.
Weinstein released a statement on Thursday saying, "I appreciate the way I've behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it." His legal team has said the initial New York Times story was "saturated with false and defamatory statements," but they provided no details.
The fallout has prompted U.S. morning show TV host Mika Brzezinski to say she "can't go forward" with a lucrative Weinstein book deal unless the mogul resigns.
I have a three-book deal with Weinstein Books, through Hachette. I can’t go forward with those books unless Harvey resigns.
—@morningmikaAnd Weinstein's prominent legal adviser, Lisa Bloom, has resigned, announcing Saturday she's no longer helping him with his case despite initially rushing to his defence.
I have resigned as an advisor to Harvey Weinstein.<br>My understanding is that Mr. Weinstein and his board are moving toward an agreement.
—@LisaBloomThe claims against Hollywood's formerly revered honcho, who found widespread success with Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained, and more recently, Lion, are also prompting women to speak out about their experiences with workplace harassment.
'We are not going to take that'
"That is an indicator to people in power that we are not going to take that, or we're starting to recognize it," Ontario-based writer Anne T. Donahue told CBC News.
Donahue put out a Twitter call for women to share their personal stories about being harassed on the job: "When did you meet YOUR Harvey Weinstein?"
When did you meet YOUR Harvey Weinstein? I'll go first: I was a 17-yr-old co-op student and he insisted on massaging my shoulders as I typed
—@annetdonahueShe received thousands of responses and retweets, including one from Oscar-winning Room actress Brie Larson.
I merely smiled at a TSA agent and he asked for my phone number. To live life as a woman is to live life on the defense.
—@brielarsonDocumentary filmmaker and actress Jennifer Siebel Newsom wrote an article in the Huffington Post Friday about her own experiences with Weinstein, calling the initial New York Times report "extremely disturbing, but not all that shocking."
"I was naive, new to the industry, and didn't know how to deal with his aggressive advances ― work invitations with a friend late-night at The Toronto Film Festival, and later an invitation to meet with him about a role in the Peninsula Hotel, where staff were present and then all of a sudden disappeared like clockwork, leaving me alone with this extremely powerful and intimidating Hollywood legend."
Weinstein's company has worked with many A-listers, from Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) to Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady). Both won Oscars for their Weinstein films. Streep even referred to him in a 2012 acceptance speech as "God."
"For those asking why I waited?" Sivan tweeted Saturday. "YOU try telling that story 10yrs ago. Only possible now because of women with bigger names far braver than me."
Donahue praised the outpouring of personal stories.
Communication, sharing — that's a step because it takes away the stigma and the stigma is used to keep people down— Anne T. Donahue, Canadian writer
"Communication, sharing — that's a step because it takes away the stigma and the stigma is used to keep people down," said Donahue.
Kathy Spillar, executive director of the U.S. Feminist Majority Foundation, told The Associated Press that strength in numbers could encourage more women to come forward in other cases. In addition to Weinstein, there have been high-profile allegations against Fox News's former host Bill O'Reilly and the late executive Roger Ailes as well as against Bill Cosby.
"Silence is the enemy of justice, and these powerful men know that," Spillar said. "I think this is going to start an avalanche, I really do. And we all know this behaviour is not limited to Cosby, Ailes, O'Reilly and Weinstein."
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With files from CBC's Alice Hopton and Stephanie Vankampen and The Associated Press