Here's Why The Fight For Justice For Weinstein's Victims Is Far From Over

 

     Harvey Weinstein looks absolutely miserable. 69 is not that old, especially when you are a wealthy person with access to some of the best medical care in the world, and already the fat Mr. Weinstein looks more frail: using a walker, appearing to demonstrate bruising indicative of a nutrition deficiency, and possessing the disposition of a zombie. While in prison, he was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2019 and COVID-19 in 2020. This may just be karma for being a notorious asshole. Paul Watson, the star of Animal Planet's Whale Wars, attempted to introduce himself to Weinstein decades ago at an event; Weinstein rudely dismissed him and resumed ogling other celebrities. While Mr. Weinstein was a bully toward men, he was a cowardly predator toward women. If his failing health is payback for the former, the prison time is justice for the latter. 

     When Weinstein was accused of rape by a dozen women in October 2017, his life fell apart. His wife Georgina divorced him immediately; he was fired from his production company; he resigned from the Directors' Guild of America; he was suspended from all major professional honorary film groups to which he had belonged; all politicians who had been endorsed and/or supported by Weinstein came out publicly to condemn his serial sex crimes. The Los Angeles Police Department, New York Police Department, and London Metropolitan Police Department each launched an investigation. This was all in one month. 

     What's equally alarming is that, when he knew the New York Times was preparing to expose him, he hired a private security firm called Black Cube to stalk, harass, coerce, and otherwise target his accusers and those covering his crimes in the media alike. It wasn't enough to save him.

     After undergoing trial in January 2020 and being convicted in February 2020, Weinstein was handed a sentence of 23 years in prison for criminal sexual assault in the first degree and rape in the third degree in New York in March 2020. He avoided a life sentence when he was acquitted of predatory sexual assault. Last month, he was ordered to be extradited to Los Angeles from his correctional facility in Buffalo to stand trial for charges of rape and sexual assault against five women, a total of 11 counts. Weinstein tried to argue that somehow he would receive less adequate medical care in Los Angeles, which was laughed off by the judge. After his conviction, his Order of the British Empire was revoked. The investigation in London, meanwhile, is ongoing. Weinstein is also facing hundreds of millions of dollars in civil suits from said accusers.

     Such swift justice gave more women the courage to speak out against Weinstein. In less than four years, 127 women have accused the disgraced former producer of rape, sexual assault, or sexual harassment dating back numerous decades.

     I want to thank every single woman who came forward in this case. Weinstein is likely to only be given prison time for about 10 percent of the crimes he is accused of. However, the fact that this alone is enough to put him in prison for multiple life sentences should demonstrate how severe this case is. Aside from this harsh punishment, Harvey Weinstein will never know love or friendship again, his reputation will forever be as a serial rapist, and every award he earned and every dollar he made will be taken from him. 

     It goes well beyond Harvey Weinstein. His being busted resulted in the Weinstein effect, the impetus for the #MeToo movement, which has seen hundreds of famous figures accused of sexual misconduct and dozens either convicted or working their way through the legal system.

     The fight for justice for Harvey Weinstein's victims is far from over. He may have been convicted and sentenced in New York, but he still has two criminal cases pending. He has been accused by 127 women, all of whom deserve a chance to have their voices heard and their words investigated as well as interpreted critically. While money cannot make these survivors whole for the atrocities they have endured, it can make sure the rest of their lives are as pleasant as the suffering Weinstein put them through was miserable.