When I was 19, I met an older man so handsome and smart I could barely breathe. When friends asked why I’d suddenly become so distracted, I explained the curve of his jaw, or the way he looked at me when asking me about myself. He was, as I saw it, perfect. Until he showed up at my apartment one night and plied me with alcohol. We drank beer after beer while he cracked jokes. When he moved me to the bed, I protested, then laughed, because I trusted him. He insisted, all but carrying me. When unzipped my pants, I protested again. Then he looked down at me and laughed, and so I laughed, too paralyzed to form words.\n
The next morning, when friends asked me how my night had gone, I laughed again and told them it was the best I’d ever had. I kept up the charade for over a year, when he would show up to my apartment again, or invite me out. If I pretended like everything was fine, nobody would know how powerless and small I felt, especially him. Nobody would know how many nights I sat at the window, wishing I would jump, wishing that someday I’d be strong enough to say no.
It is not wholly unusual that it took me over five years to admit I’d been sexually assaulted. Despite living and reporting through the bulk of MeToo, I hadn’t reckoned with the overwhelming shame and powerlessness I’d felt. Or the fear that, were I to speak it out loud, I’d have to endure the accusations that I should have never accepted the first drink, or that I should have never seen him afterward, or that I should have spoken up sooner.
During Harvey Weinstein’s ongoing trial, his lawyer Donna Rottuno plucked those same fears out from the minds of countless sexual assault survivors. In anreporter Megan Twohey, Rotunno claimed she had never been assaulted because “I would never put myself in that position.” In this imagined hierarchy of women, Rotunno sees herself as a strong and empowered lawyer, too smart to accept drinks from men or enter their hotel rooms.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
Harvey Weinstein will not testify at his New York rape trial, defense rests caseFormer movie producer Harvey Weinstein will not testify in his own defense at hi...
Les mer »
Harvey Weinstein's defense lawyers rest case without him taking the standThe former film executive's lawyers told NBC News that he wanted to testify, but in the end they decided against calling him to the witness box.
Les mer »
Defense rests without Weinstein testifying at rape trialBREAKING: The defense rests its case in Harvey Weinstein’s rape trial, relying on just a few witnesses to supplement aggressive cross-examination as they aimed to undercut his accusers. Weinstein was kept off of the witness stand.
Les mer »
Harvey Weinstein Will Not Testify In Rape Trial As Defense Rests CaseHarvey Weinstein’s defense team rested its case on Tuesday, with the disgraced producer choosing not to take the stand.
Les mer »
Weinstein Defense Makes Last-Ditch Bid to Call NYPD DetectiveHarvey Weinstein’s defense team made a last-ditch attempt on Monday to call Det. Nicholas DiGaudio, the NYPD detective who was removed from the case after allegedly withholding information fr…
Les mer »
Defense witness testifies Weinstein's rape accuser called him a 'spiritual soulmate'Defense witness testifies that Harvey Weinstein's rape accuser called him a 'spiritual soulmate.'
Les mer »