Harvey Weinstein Survivors Speak Out to Support Three Women Testifying Against Him In New Trial

A group of women who say they are fellow survivors of abuse by Harvey Weinstein issued a statement Thursday in support of the three accusers who have taken the stand as part of his criminal retrial and weighed in on what they see as a changed environment.

“I am torn between awe and despair for the women who are re-testifying in today’s trial. Awe at their grace and strength to put themselves through this once again, on behalf of all of us survivors. Despair that the legal system is still so biased towards perpetrators, and flawed towards survivors,” said Rowena Chiu, one of the members of the group and a former assistant to Weinstein.

Weinstein is currently on trial on two charges of criminal sexual act in the first degree and one count of third-degree rape. The charges are related to respective claims from a former production assistant on Project Runway, Miriam Haley, who alleges he forced oral sex on her at his Manhattan apartment in 2006, from former model Kaja Sokola, who alleges he forced oral sex on her at a Manhattan hotel in 2006, and from aspiring actress Jessica Mann, who alleges she was raped by Weinstein in 2013 in a Manhattan hotel.

“We proudly stand in support and solidarity with Jessica Mann, Mimi Haley, Kaja Sokola and all the other survivors who have come forward, as well as those who have not. Kaja, Mimi and Jessica bravely took the stand to speak for all of us who were abused by a man who, for decades, cruelly took advantage of women who were simply trying to find their footing in an industry already stacked against them,” reads the statement from more than a dozen women who say they are survivors of criminal and predatory behavior by Weinstein.

Opening statements in the trial began April 23, and Mann, the last accuser on the stand, finished her testimony Thursday afternoon. The case is expected to be turned over to the jury the first week of June.

The retrial comes after Weinstein’s 2020 conviction was overturned in April 2024 when the court of appeals ruled that the trial judge improperly allowed testimony from other women about uncharged allegations against Weinstein. The group wanted to issue the statement of support Thursday as they say there has been less fanfare around this trial generally, including what they say is a cynicism around the #MeToo movement, which was sparked by the initial Weinstein allegations. 

“We wanted to show support for the three women who so bravely went through this whole process AGAIN, and without the huge support we initially had from activists, including the resources of TIMES UP – not to mention how public perception has changed, now that MeToo has fallen under the ‘anti-woke’ hammer,” Louise Godbold, a trauma educator who helped organize other Weinstein survivors, wrote in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. 

“Despite the climate of cynicism about the movement and the dark times we find ourselves in, our truth has not changed. We all know what happened with this man, and women everywhere know the difference between a common creep, a bad vibe and a manipulative predator,” Erika Rosenbaum, a Canadian actress who has spoken out against Weinstein, told THR.

Haley and Mann both testified as part of the 2020 trial, while Sokola is a new addition to the criminal case. The last trial also saw heavy media coverage, as well as protests outside, which has not been part of the retrial. Another factor looming over the retrial is the claims of poor health from Weinstein, who has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, among other ailments, and housed at Bellevue Hospital.  

“As we navigate the re-trial of Harvey Weinstein, I find myself reflecting on the resilience of the women who have bravely stepped forward to testify once again. Their strength is profoundly inspiring, especially in a climate where their stories deserve to be heard and validated, yet this trial isn’t receiving the attention it warrants. It is crucial that these women’s voices are amplified, as their experiences matter deeply, and we must ensure that Weinstein is held accountable for his crimes,” said Caitlin Dulany, an actress who was part of a class-action suit against Weinstein with fellow group members Melissa Thompson and Larissa Gomes.

“Despite his ill health and confinement, this trial represents a vital opportunity for justice. Those of us who have suffered, spoken out, and continue to seek justice, need to be recognized, heard, and given the closure we deserve,” Dulany continued.

Many of the group members also expressed dismay at the way the justice system has dealt with the survivors, with Thompson, saying having the retrial “highlights the urgent need for justice reform.”

“As a victim of Weinstein, I feel disappointed and frustrated with the judicial process; I feel vulnerable on behalf of all victims of sexual crimes and share the fear that our voices might not be heard or validated,” Thompson said. “Importantly, there has been unwavering solidarity among survivors. This reflects our resilience but also highlights the pressing need for continued advocacy for change in how sexual assault cases are handled. We have been knocked down again, but we will not stop supporting each other to get back up.”

“The retrial of Harvey Weinstein is a reminder that a path to justice for survivors is rarely quick, simple, or guaranteed. As a Weinstein survivor myself, I cannot say how grateful I am to Mimi, Kaja, and Jess for taking the stand to ensure the truth of our abuser’s heinous deeds is once again heard. No matter the verdict of this – or any other trial – the truth is the truth. I ask everyone to remember that the victims in these cases are real people and once the headlines disappear, we are still here, trying to heal from our trauma, working to regain our lives, our livelihoods, and our sense of safety. Believe survivors. Support survivors,” said Sarah Ann Masse, an actress who has brought claims against Weinstein and formed a group to end career retaliation against survivors of sexual violence within the entertainment industry.

“Predatory behavior thrives in a society that allows it and so this courage to speak out and face the injustice will always be the flame igniting the fire needed to burn it out of the system, and we are unyielding in our capacity to light that match,” Gomes said.

The full statement is below:

We are survivors of Harvey Weinstein’s criminal and predatory behavior. Today, as the last survivor to testify in the New York trial finishes giving evidence, we want to remind everyone that these women do not stand alone.

We proudly stand in support and solidarity with Jessica Mann, Mimi Haley, Kaja Sokola and all the other survivors who have come forward, as well as those who have not. Kaja, Mimi and Jessica bravely took the stand to speak for all of us who were abused by a man who, for decades, cruelly took advantage of women who were simply trying to find their footing in an industry already stacked against them.

The fearless testimony of the three survivors during this trial proves that no matter how powerful the abuser, no matter how indifferent the systems that ignore the abuse, survivors will not be silenced.

To Jessica, Mimi, and Kaja: We believe you. We support you. We stand with you. Thank you for your courage and for giving so many others a voice.

Signers:

Louise Godbold, Tomi-Ann Roberts, Larissa Gomes, Erika Rosenbaum, Natasha Henstridge, Melissa Sagemiller, Caitlin Dulany, Sarah Ann Masse, Katherine Kendall, Louisette Geiss, Rowena Chiu, Lauren Sivan and Melissa Thompson.