#MeToo: Harvey Weinstein now accused of assaulting a 16-year-old
What's the story
Harvey Weinstein has gone from being one of the most renowned business moguls in Hollywood to one of the most infamous names in the industry.
His alleged inappropriate behavior with several women which was reported in The New Yorker and The New York Times sparked off the #MeToo movement.
Now, another civil case has been filed against him for sexually harassing a 16-year-old model.
Charges
The charges against Weinstein as they stand
On Wednesday, October 31, an anonymous Polish woman (Jane Doe), filed a case against Weinstein for forcing her to touch his penis when she was 16 years old.
The charges further outlined how Weinstein had subjected her to years of emotional abuse and harassment.
More shockingly, he had blocked her from a successful acting career out of spite for refusing his sexual advances.
The assault
What went down between Weinstein and Jane Doe
Jane alleged that Weinstein assaulted her in 2002 in his New York City apartment a few days after they met.
He promised to take Jane for lunch and discuss her career. Instead, they went to his SoHo apartment where Weinstein 'aggressively and threateningly' wanted sex.
Jane was instructed to take her clothes off with the insinuation that refusal would ruin her possible acting career.
Reaction
Jane's reaction to this predatory behavior
Jane who was only 16 at the time was naturally terrified in the presence of a powerful man who could make her career but was now threateningly demanding sexual favors.
However, she struggled to hold back her tears and resisted his persistent demands.
Jane, a virgin, was completely caught off guard when a business lunch suddenly turned into an alarming situation for her.
Abusive behavior
Weinstein's persistent emotional abuse
As if the traumatic assault was not enough, Jane was doggedly pursued by Weinstein, who texted and called her every two weeks insinuating he was the only one who could launch her acting career.
When she started dating a wealthy man, Weinstein possessively accused her of being unavailable sexually.
He even tried to enter her room in her building but was refused by security.
Information
What the lawyers have said
Weinstein's lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, has called the allegations 'preposterous' and expressed confidence that it would turn out to be a lie. Jane's lawyer, Elizabeth Fegan, on the other hand, praised her courage of coming forward considering how young she was when Weinstein assaulted her.
Behavior pattern
The pattern of a sexual predator
Weinstein's modus operandi with Jane mirrors another accuser, Melissa Thompson's case.
In both the situations, he posited himself in the position of power and leveraged it to force sexual favors. Further, he misled them into believing their meetings would be public, then tried to isolate them in private places to sexually exploit them.
Luckily this monstrous behavior was ousted during the #MeToo movement.