How the verdict against Weinstein will help #MeToo

The Weinstein verdict has helped many victims not only share their stories but also encouraged them to get help

Three years after being called out on sexual misconduct, Hollywood’s famous producer, Harvey Weinstein, was charged by a New York jury on two counts of criminal sex acts.

According to the verdict, there were five counts against the producer out of which he was only held accountable for two, resulting in a sentence of up to 25 years in prison. However, Weinstein was acquitted of the rest of the three counts, which were more serious and could have gotten him a life sentence on grounds of predatory sexual assault.

Despite everything, the verdict is still being referred to as a landmark moment for the #MeToo movement. But what does it mean for cases of sexual harassment in the future?

Looking at the cases of sexual harassment from a larger perspective, it’s no surprise that such incidents had been taking place in the world, especially in the entertainment industry, for a long time.

Accusers of Weinstein themselves shared that the instances of sexual misconduct occurred years ago, dating back to the 90s even. But it was only recently that women — and men — decided to come out in public and name and shame the culprits.

Reasons for keeping silent were based on many factors such as victim-shaming, character assassinations and ruining one’s own career in the process as these victims, at the time, realised that they had no choice but to keep mum if they wanted to have a successful career and make ends meet. Moreover, the trauma attached to incidents of rape and sexual assault does not let victims talk about it openly.

While victim-shaming still exists today, it has been toned down a lot as compared to the past, as more and more people are now standing up to support each other, rather than make the ‘weak’ one a target.

The Weinstein verdict — and even the case ever since it began years ago — has helped many victims not only share their stories but also encouraged them to get help, report the crimes and hold their criminals accountable.

The #MeToo movement still has a long way to go, but this first step is of utmost importance.

In the past, movements against slavery, racism, and equal rights faced many hurdles before being recognised as valid concerns and while the world’s view might still not be all the way to where it should be regarding the #MeToo movement, it has still come a long way.

Slavery existed ages ago and was practised for over 10,000 years before people started protesting against it. Martin Luther King Jr was one of the many people who fought against slavery through non-violent means, and look at what that achieved! Workplaces and communities are getting more diverse and inclusive. Women were not granted full rights and were restricted to certain roles in society, until 1920, when they were finally granted the right to vote. Women in Saudi Arabia weren’t even allowed to drive until 2017.

The Weinstein case has set a benchmark on how to fight and report cases of sexual harassment in the future, but one should realise that society is still years away from it becoming a norm. It might take another decade or two or even more before the results of such cases set a precedent for other cases to follow and new policies to be formed. Because if a powerful figure like Weinstein — one of the biggest producers in Hollywood and an “untouchable” — can be charged for harassment, then no Tom, Dick, and Harry can escape punishment either. However, as a society, we will just have to exercise patient, stand united and keep fighting against such crimes.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 29^th, 2020.

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