An overwhelming number of Hollywood celebrities have joined Meryl Streep and Dame Judi Dench in denouncing Harvey Weinstein for multiple incidents of sexual abuse stretching back to the 1990s.
Gwyneth Paltrow told The New York Times she was harassed by Weinstein when she was just 22. The actress stated that Weinstein touched her inappropriately and asked her move to his bedroom. “I was a kid, I was signed up, I was petrified,” she said.
Angeline Jolie also opened up about her own abusive experience with Weinstein. “I had a bad experience with Harvey Weinstein in my youth, and as a result, chose never to work with him again and warn others when they did,” Jolie told The New York Times. “This behaviour towards women in any field, any country is unacceptable.”
Jennifer Lawrence, who has worked with Weinstein on numerous occasions, said told Variety she was “deeply disturbed” by the revelations. “This kind of abuse is inexcusable and absolutely upsetting,” she said.
Kate Winslet joined Lawrence in calling out Weinstein. “The way Harvey Weinstein has treated these vulnerable, talented young women is not the way women should ever, ever deem to be acceptable or commonplace in any workplace,” Winslet said in a statement to Variety.
Other actresses have spoken out in support of Rose McGowan, Ashley Judd and the other women who have come forward with their stories of abuse. “Coming forward about sexual abuse and coercion is scary and women have nothing to be gained personally by doing so,” Julianne Moore tweeted. “But through their bravery we move forward as a culture, and I thank them.”
“I was warned from the beginning. The stories were everywhere. To deny that is to create an environment for it to happen again,” tweeted actress Jessica Chastain.
Reputable actors have also addressed Weinstein’s misconduct. “To be clear what Harvey Weinstein did was a disgusting abuse of power and horrible,” Mark Ruffalo announced via Twitter. “I hope we are now seeing the beginning of the end of these abuses.”
George Clooney called out all involved in Hollywood in an interview with The Daily Beast, declaring that “the argument would be that it’s not just about Hollywood, but about all of us—that every time you see someone using their power and influence to take advantage of someone without power and influence and you don’t speak up, you’re complicit.”
On Twitter Michael Keaton compared Weinstein’s predatory behaviour to Trump. “H Weinstein -yikes! Disgusting and creepy. So is “leader of the free world”, by the way.”
If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, call HELP‘s 24/7 helpline on (09) 623 1700 for New Zealand and Rape and Domestic Violence Service Australia‘s 24/7 helpline on (1800) 211 028.