On March 11, 2020, disgraced former producer Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison on counts of first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape in New York City.
For almost 3 years now, women across America have accused the producer of sexually harassing or assaulting them, and in light of the #MeToo movement, their accusations took Weinstein to court. Judge James Burke, who carried out the sentencing in New York said, “Although this is a first conviction, it is not a first offense […] There is evidence before me of other incidents of sexual assault involving a number of women, all of which are legitimate considerations for sentence.” For years, the women who have worked with Weinstein have accused him of inappropriate behavior, and although only the accusations of Miriam Haley and Jessica Mann stood in court, Weinstein was sentenced for attacking Haley and raping Mann.
During the #MeToo movement, also known as “Time’s up,” many women of the industry came forward to accuse famous men of sexually assaulting them, or making inappropriate advances during work. Weinstein is known as the first accused of sexually assaulting the women he had worked with, but he still defends himself, making himself the victim in the situation in order to appeal to the court’s humanity.
Weinstein’s lawyers call the decision a life sentence, as Weinstein, 67, is in poor health and may die before being released from prison.
However, victim Miriam Haley said on the day of the sentencing, “If Harvey Weinstein had not been convicted by this jury, it would have happened again and again and again […] I’m relieved he will now know he’s not above the law. I’m relieved there are women out there who are safer because he’s not out there.”
Whether or not Weinstein’s conviction is just, his sentencing is a milestone in the upsurgence of women and men alike speaking out against their attackers.
Weinstein faces another trial in LA for attacking and sexually harassing two women in their hotel rooms.