In October 2017, Hollywood was shaken when multiple women accused the powerful film producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct — including allegations of rape. While Mr. Weinstein issued denials, he was fired from his production company and expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He may also face criminal charges stemming from some of his accuser’s claims.
The allegations against Mr. Weinstein and the film industry’s response triggered what some now call the “Weinstein effect.” Women, who felt empowered by the country’s changing attitudes towards sexual misconduct, formed the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements — and began reporting their experiences of sexual assault, rape, and harassment in record numbers.
Based on these claims, many men in entertainment, journalism, and news media have resigned or been terminated from their leadership positions. Media companies such as Fox News and NPR have faced scrutiny for their allegedly slow reactions to complaints of sexual assault and misconduct.
While it’s unclear whether all of the women’s claims are fully credible (no one has been convicted in a court of law and many men deny the allegations), it’s clear that public opinion is shifting. Men who are in positions of power must be very conscious of their behavior and its perceived implications.
Below, we list 20 of the most shocking and notable sexual assault and misconduct claims that emerged during the early stages of the #MeToo movement.
