Shortly after Harvey Weinstein's conviction for rape, Larissa Gomez - a writer, actress and producer - one of Harvey Weinstein's victims of violence, wrote:
"Harvey Weinstein was convicted of rape. I feel so good when I write these words. Harvey Weinstein was convicted of rape. Harvey Weinstein is a convicted rapist. As one of his survivors, I feel completely happy. But all this did not come without difficulty.
In 2017, I shared my story with Harvey. It was not an easy decision. There has been a lot of backlash against us.
However, I knew the time had come to stop being silent, and I had to expose Harvey as a predator, as it were. I joined dozens of women who described how he used power to force them to remain silent. In doing so, he isolated us and made us feel like we were alone, without a protective system.
But through our unified initiative, we began to change the culture for powerful men. We began to change history.
As many women publicly talked about sexual violence and his behavior, he was expelled from the Academy and the Producer's Guild. He was expelled from the same institutions where he once ruled.
It was clear that the movement had begun. All that happened was the domino effect.
As a Harvey Weinstein survivor, I think his New York judgment was a symbol. Its punishment is a victory that serves as an important moment to promote a safer world. Changes have begun. The collective voices of many women laid the foundation for a new culture.
We need a justice system where a woman does not feel ashamed when she witnesses rape. We should no longer blame women for the actions of rapists. We need to review laws that protect predators more than women.
Future generations do not have to inherit institutions where men like Harvey Weinstein are protected, and I hope so. Our children are watching what is happening and they are being taught to raise their voices. They are aware of the injustices. Given Harvey's case, I hope they understand that they should never remain silent. "
Source: Cosmopolitan
