LOS ANGELES –
A woman testified Monday that Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted her in a resort room in the course of the Toronto Film (*17*) in 1991, then did it once more when she went to confront him in the identical resort throughout the identical competition 17 years later.
On the witness stand at Weinstein’s Los Angeles trial, she stated she was a 24-year-old aspiring actor on the 1991 competition and did not know who Weinstein was earlier than she met him at a celebration. She stated her pals there have been abuzz concerning the man whose firm Miramax had surged to the forefront of impartial movie and was making its mark on the Oscars.
She stated she was charmed by Weinstein at first as they mentioned books and movies.
“We received alongside very nicely,” she stated. “He was very clever. We had a beautiful dialog.”
She stated the 2 of them left the occasion for a glass of wine at a close-by cafe, then she went with him to his room on the Four Seasons Hotel as a result of he stated he had a script for a movie with a task that will be excellent for him.
Once there, she stated he went into the lavatory and emerged carrying solely an open shirt and holding a scorching washcloth.
“It all occurred very, very in a short time,” she stated. “I used to be in shock. It was so sudden.”
She stated he pulled her skirt off, put the washcloth on her and informed her “my spouse loves this.”
She testified that she felt “nauseous, scared, terrified” and repeatedly informed him “no” and requested “what are you doing?”
She stated he held her down and sexually assaulted her together with his mouth and his hand. He then climbed on prime of her and began to rape her however she was capable of slip away and depart the room.
Already serving a 23-year sentence in New York, Weinstein, 70, has pleaded not responsible to 11 counts of rape and sexual assault involving 5 girls in Los Angeles and has denied partaking in any non-consensual intercourse.
He shouldn’t be charged with the alleged assaults described in Monday’s testimony. The woman, together with three others, is being allowed to testify so prosecutors can try to point out Weinstein’s propensity for the crimes he is charged with.
The woman testified that she didn’t see Weinstein once more till 2008, when she was 41 and briefly residing on the Four Seasons together with her husband and kids. She bumped into Weinstein within the foyer throughout that 12 months’s competition.
“My blood form of stopped,” she stated. “I used to be very indignant.”
When Weinstein’s assistant got here to her room to say he wished to satisfy together with her, she agreed.
“I wished to confront him,” she stated. “I felt like I used to be prepared to offer it to him.”
Once in his room, she remembered asking, “How does it really feel to be in entrance of the one woman who stated no to you.”
Weinstein then dismissed his assistant from the room, and shortly guided her towards a door. She stated earlier than she realized it she was in a closed toilet with Weinstein, the place he was blocking her means out.
She stated Weinstein grabbed her breasts and masturbated in entrance of her earlier than letting her depart the room.
The woman stated she did not inform anybody concerning the second assault for years due to the “sheer embarrassment” of getting it occur once more.
“I used to be in shock,” she stated. “So embarrassed, simply so embarrassed.”
She remained composed and unrattled via her testimony, however started crying when requested what impact the 2 assaults had on her, replying “there are such a lot of layers to that.”
The first, she stated, drove her from performing.
“I by no means wished to undergo something like that once more,” she stated.
The second had main private results.
“It harm my marriage as a result of I did not inform him,” she stated. “It’s been actually onerous.”
Her testimony seems to be the primary time she has informed her story in a public setting.
Like comparable witnesses on this and different trials, she at first informed her story shortly and in plain language, however was requested to double again and supply extra graphic, and harder, particulars.
Weinstein’s attorneys had been set to cross-examine her on Tuesday afternoon.
The Associated Press doesn’t usually identify individuals who say they’ve been sexually abused.
Resources for sexual assault survivors in Canada
If you or somebody is battling sexual assault or trauma, the next assets can be found to assist folks in disaster:
If you might be in speedy hazard or concern to your security, it is best to name 911.
A full record of sexual assault centres in Canada that supply info, advocacy and counselling could be discovered at ReeseCommunity.com. Resources in your neighborhood could be discovered by coming into your postal code.
Helplines, authorized companies and places that supply sexual assault kits in Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia could be discovered right here.
National Residential School Crisis Line: +1 866 925 4419
24-hour disaster line: 416 597 8808
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: +1 833 900 1010
Trans Lifeline: +1 877 330 6366
Sexual misconduct assist for present or former members of the Armed Forces: +1 844 750 1648
Read about your rights as a sufferer right here.