The 'Dawson's Creek' alum and the 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' star share their stories of being sexually assaulted by Hollywood honchos.
- Oct 13, 2017
AceShowbiz - More Hollywood stars opened up on their experiences with sexual harassment amid the explosive Harvey Weinstein scandal. Male actors James Van Der Beek and Terry Crews took it to Twitter to share their stories of getting sexually assaulted by powerful men in the industry.
"What Weinstein is being accused of is criminal. What he's admitted to is unacceptable - in any industry. I applaud everybody speaking out," Van Der Beek wrote. "I've had my ass grabbed by older, powerful men, I've had them corner me in inappropriate sexual conversations when I was much younger...I understand the unwarranted shame, powerlessness & inability to blow the whistle. There's a power dynamic that feels impossible to overcome."
He added, "FTR, the harassment I tweeted about was by people 99.9|percent| of you don't know. 2 were charged (by others) & punished. The other has since died. So apologies to any mentors & champions and wonderful friends I've made in this industry who may have been pulled into wrongful speculation. I realize I left a door open by not initially naming, but please don't impugn innocent people w/out cause. That's not fair. Or right."
Meanwhile, NFL player-turned-actor Terry Crews wrote on his own page, "This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME. My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates."
"Jumping back I said What are you doing?! My wife saw everything n we looked at him like he was crazy. He just grinned like a jerk. I was going to kick his ass right then - but I thought twice about how the whole thing would appear. '240 lbs. Black Man stomps out Hollywood Honcho' would be the headline the next day. Only I probably wouldn't have been able to read it because I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN JAIL. So we left."
He went on, "That night and the next day I talked to everyone I knew that worked with him about what happened. He called me the next day with an apology but never really explained why he did what he did. I decided not 2 take it further becuz I didn't want 2b ostracized - par 4 the course when the predator has power n influence."
"I let it go. And I understand why many women who this happens to let it go. Who's going 2 believe you? ( few) What r the repercussions?(many) Do u want 2 work again? (Yes) R you prepared 2b ostracized?(No) I love what I do. But it's a shame and the height of disappointment when someone tries to takes advantage of that."
Crews didn't give any name either, "He knows who he is. But sumtimes Uhav2 wait & compare notes w/ others who've been victimized in order 2gain a position of strength. I understand and empathize with those who have remained silent. But Harvey Weinstein is not the only perpetrator."
"Hollywood is not the only business where this happens, and to the casualties of this behavior - you are not alone. Hopefully, me coming forward with my story will deter a predator and encourage someone who feels hopeless," he concluded.
