CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses topics of sexual assault and sexual harassment and may be triggering for some readers. If you need support, you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Watch below: Harvey Weinstein sent to trial
Late last week, an interview between Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer, Donna Rotunno, and New York Times’ The Daily podcast reporter, Megan Twohey shocked listener’s across the globe.
The interview, which was led by Twohey – one of the reporters who broke the original Weinstein story for The New York Times – was released under the episode name, “The Woman Defending Harvey Weinstein.”
As her conversation with the infamous lawyer was coming to a close, Twohey took the risk of asking Rotunno one final question: have you ever been sexually assaulted? To which Weinstein’s defence attorney answered;
“I have not. Because I would never put myself in that position.”
Twohey continued, pressing for clarification; “So you’re saying that you have never been sexually assaulted because you would never put yourself in the position of being sexually assaulted?”
Rotunno remained clear in her position; “I’ve always made choices, from college age on, where I never drank too much, I never went home with someone I didn’t know, I just never put myself in any vulnerable circumstance ever,” she said.
When asked by Twohey whether she believed that all victims of sexual assault had made themselves vulnerable, Rotunno quickly backpedalled, stating that she simply thinks that “women should take precautions.”
Twitter’s reaction to Rotunno’s victim-blaming response was extremely powerful, most notably from Rachael Denhollander, an American lawyer and former gymnast, who initiated the hashtag #WhereIPutMyself.
“Weinstein’s attorney says she’s never been abused because she ‘wouldn’t put herself in that position’,” she posted.
“Tell Weinstein’s lawyer what position you ‘put yourself in.'”
The tweet encouraged an onslaught of heartbreaking posts from survivors who took to the platform to share their stories.
Here is just a glimpse at some of their powerful responses.
Twohey’s complete interview with Rotunno is available to listen to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses topics of sexual assault and sexual harassment and may be triggering for some readers. If you need support, you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Watch below: Harvey Weinstein sent to trial
CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses topics of sexual assault and sexual harassment and may be triggering for some readers. If you need support, you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Watch below: Harvey Weinstein sent to trial
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