How Harvey Weinstein's conviction is changing the way people address sexual assault

On Wed., March 11, the once powerful Hollywood producer, Harvey Weinstein, was sentenced to 23 years in prison after being found guilty of rape and commiting criminal sexual acts. Six of the over one hundred women who accused Weinstein of sexual assault spoke at his trial. The allegations against Weinstein were at the center of the #MeToo movement, an internet phenomenon created to empower survivors of sexual assault. Weinstein’s long awaited sentence will have a large impact on the #MeToo movement. The fact that this trial led to a serious conviction shows that our culture is on the verge of a transformation. It is probable that more survivors will be encouraged to speak up and seek justice rather than be forced to stay silent.  Weinstein was once a robust figure in Hollywood, but the numerous allegations against him scorched his reputation. The first allegation in 2017 led to a wave of women in Hollywood stepping forward and speaking of their own experiences with Weinstein. Following the accusations, he was expelled from The Academy. Additionally, his BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) membership was suspended, he was kicked out of the Producers Guild of America and was fired from the company that he co-founded. By 2018, Weinstein was no longer a respected figure in Hollywood. Weinstein’s conviction is so impactful because of how rarely a sentence of that severity is given to people in power. Hundreds of public figures have been accused of sexual misconduct but very few end up in jail for their actions. Often, they even continue to have successful careers. Take Brett Kavanaugh, the United States Supreme Court justice. Kavanaugh was accused of rape by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford shortly before being confirmed into the Supreme Court. Even after Ford gave an emotional testimony against Kavanaugh, he was still given the position. This was an instance of people in power not listening to survivors. In the world of entertainment, countless figures who have been accused of sexual misconduct continue to have prosperous careers. Director Woody Allen was accused of sexually abusing his adoptive daughters, but despite the allegations, he remains a prominent figure in Hollywood. He is still making new movies and receiving awards years after the allegations. Because of the lack of action taken to punish people like Kavanaugh and Allen, survivors of sexual assault often feel like speaking up is useless. However, Weinstein’s conviction will likely change the way people view survivors of sexual assault, as well as empower people to make sure their voices are heard and that justice is served.  After the allegations against Weinstein, more people began sharing their stories about sexual assault. Although Weinstein was not the first public figure to be accused by a multitude of people, the accusations against him were some of the most impactful and severe. Over one hundred women came forward and accused him of sexual assault and these women felt like they could publicly voice these accusations because the other people accusing him were actually believed. The survivors felt more comfortable speaking out because of the support they were received with. The Weinstein allegations were some of the first that weren’t widely dismissed. In the past, many people who have come forward accusing someone of assault have been called liars or attention seekers, but now more than ever, abusers are being held accountable for their actions.  Though Harvey Weinstein was convicted, this development does not guarantee that convicting sex offenders will be much easier now. There are still many people, especially prominent figures in Hollywood, who continue to have successful careers regardless of allegations against them. However, the way that Weinstein was received by society after the allegations show that people are ready to put their bias aside and start taking the side of survivors. His conviction is an important step in listening to survivors and holding those accused of sexual violence accountable for their actions. This conviction will further empower people to speak up and help put an end to prominent people getting away with predatory behavior.