The destruction of the indecisive, sex abuse scandals that rocked 2017

If 2017 stays in memory for long, it will be partly due to the many sexual scandals that marked the second half of this year. Popular names, people in the status of legends in their respective fields, were transfigured before the whirlwind of charges of sexual harassment and improper conduct. The list of exposed names includes producers, actors and journalists, persons who have been part of public opinion for decades.

It all started in October. The American daily The New York Times published a detailed article that has been working on for months, with claims of sexual harassment against Harvey Weinstein, Hollywood producer standing behind films hit like “Shakespeare in Love”, “Nine”, “Malena” or “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”.

Actors, which today are well-known Hollywood names, confessed the unpleasant confrontations they have had with producer Weinstein over the years, while the latter sought their sexual favors in exchange for a successful career. Throughout the years and continents, according to The New York Times, confessions about Weinstein's behavior share a common turquoise: women who are presented at hotels on business matters and who then face the undignified offers of producers. The list of women who accuse Weinstein includes names like Ashley Juddd, Rose McGowan, Lena Dunham, Gwynth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Cara Deledingne, etc. And today it numbers more than 50 accusers.

The last to break the silence regarding Weinstein's case is also Hollywood actor Salma Hayek. She told of The New York Times details of her unpleasant encounter with Weinstein during the time that the film “Frida” was produced, dedicated to the renowned Mexican artist and icon Frida Kahlo.

I thought my story wasn't important and it wouldn't make a difference. But for years Harvey has been my monster.

Any refusal to his demands, he experienced it with a Makiavelia rage. On one occasion he even threatened to kill me. Mexican actress even adds that the involvement of Edward Norton, producer Margaret Perenchio and director Julie Taymor in the production of “Frida”, as well as friendship with director Quentin Tarantino and actor George Clooney, survived the rape victim.

However, the well - known Mexican actress experienced several severe nerve episodes, for Weinstein was forced to film a nudo scene with her co-protagonist, which according to Hayek was completely out of the picture.

The scandal rocked Hollywood and triggered a wave of harsh reactions that gave life to social networking, under the name #Me Too. Weinstein's story culminated in his wife's request for divorce, Georgina Chapman, his expulsion from the Weinstein company board and the Academy of Film Arts and Sciences.

But the Weinstein case was just the tip of the iceberg. The business show world is shocked a few days later by the sexual scandal involving renowned actor Kevin Spacey. It's actor Anthony Rapp who relates the unpleasant episode between him and Space in 1986, when Rapp was only 14. Spacey said he didn't remember this incident, but if it had happened, it was because of his excessive consumption of alcohol.

In the same statement where he apologized for his conduct, Spacey also confessed to his homosexuality. But if the actor hoped that this statement would ease speculation about his sexual scandal, he was mistaken after the reaction against him was harsh. The actor found himself excluded from the cinematographic projects he was part of, such as the House of Cards series, which will end after the sixth season or the film All the Money in the World, who was re-elected with the actor Christopher Plummer instead of Spacey.

The list of Hollywood characters who are accused of sexual harassment and indecent behavior is followed by producer Oliver Stone, actors Sylvester Stallone, Richard Drewfuss, Louis C.K., John Travolta, Steven Seagal, etc.

But the wave of accusations remains not only within the entertainment industry. Individuals of the world of journalism also become part of the ever - growing public list accused of indecent behavior.

Bill O'Reilly, former Fox News newsman, is accused of five women sexual harassment and verbal abuse, as well as of offering millions of dollars to keep the victims quiet.

Journalist Mark Halperin is accused of sexual harassment by 12 women while he worked at ABC News. As a result, Halper is discharged from his nearby duties NBC News. However, the journalist denied some of the charges against him.

Michael Oreske, chief of news NPR News is accused of improper behavior by at least 4 women while he worked for The New York Times and The Associated Press. His exclusion by the NPR is undisputed.

The veteran fan of the Thalk show, Charlie Rose, is accused of some women's rude behavior and shameful calls, among other things. Producent and host of his name interview program, Rose has a 45-year career in journalism. The 75-year-old apologised for his behaviour but questioned the authenticity of some of the claims.

Show presenter “Today” at NBC, Matt Lauer is the rotating journalist accused of sexual harassment. Following the publication of his scandal, the NBC News dismissal of Lauer was immediate, and the journalist himself did not comment on the situation.

The beginning of a social revolution for empowering women

Sexual scandals but also empowering a social movement to support the victims. The response to media-made stories was immediate and received strong support, especially on social networks. Activist Tarana Burke is the one that uses the first hashtag with Too, “and I”, later popularised by actress Alyssa Milan. With Too invades Hollywood streets as hundreds march and gather in support of the victims. This time, solidification is not only with women who claimed to have been abused by high figures in the entertainment industry. Marchers also represent sexually abused men and women as children or in other situations.

Tamara McNamara, victim of sexual abuse: I've been sexually abused several times in my life. It has touched me in every aspect of my life. I've been depressed. I've been trying to talk about these things and there's always been some kind of reluctance to talk about the subject. This march is like catharsis. It's so beautiful that all these women are talking.

The Abba group's icon, Björn Ulvaeus, considered the campaign #Me Too as a “revolution” that will radically change society. In a writing published by the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet, Ulvaeus predicted that after 1,000 years, mankind is taking its first steps towards a post-patariarchal era. “Revolution is in full force, an unstoppable avalanche that will change society on its foundations. There is no turning back,” was written in Ullvaeus' opinion.

The impact the movement #MeToo had was undisputed. All people who dared to talk openly about sexual abuse, those who gave voice to the movement for solidification with victims, were recognized by the American Time magazine as the “Man of the Year”, a title honoring persons who for good or for bad influenced key events of the year.

Susanna Schobsdorff, Time magazine Executive Editor: It's Silencers, women and men around the world. Thousands, perhaps millions, dared to confess this year that they could no longer endure sexual harassment at work at home. And we're doing this because they've changed cultural norms. It's an unprecedented shift in its speed. Since the years, we haven't seen such a rapid change in cultural norms.

Many voices make power, and that cannot be denied.

Susanna Schrobsdorf: Our editor-in-chief Edward Fesenthal saw the formation that we did, all the women who talked about sexual abuse this year, and it was affected by the huge number of them. That echoes what we're saying about this movement. You can't ignore so many women. There are many and their voices are very powerful.

The movement even arrived in the European Parliament, where the eurodeputs encouraged women not to suffer in silence and feel no shame in confessing what they have experienced.

Cecilia Malmstrom, Trade Commissioner: The reason we are discussing this today is because of the global movement I am. True stories that have erupted in social media and other communications forums. Stories that have been kept secret, in memories, hearts, and minds of millions of women around the world who have suffered in silence, trying to forget, cope, or ignore pain.

Terry Reintke, German member of the European Parliament: Me too. I have been sexually abused, as have millions of other women in the European Union. And I think it's time to say clearly that we shouldn't feel ashamed. Abusers Must Feel Ashamed.

According to a statistics by The New York Times, 42 high profile men in the United States have been laid off or resigned after publishing sexual scandals, prompted by awareness that followed Harvey Weinstein's case. As the list follows, it is constantly updated...

According to a recent study, between 2007 and 2016, only 4% of producers have been females, and 80% have managed to produce only one film. In 2016 another study revealed that only 27% of the words spoken in the largest movies belonged to female voices.

PERSONAZE YEARS

Adam Iwu: Honestly, I was revolted. A man touched me hard in front of a lot of colleagues, and I was tired of wondering if it was because of something I was wearing or if I was giving him a signal. And when I spoke to other women, they were also revolting.

Dana Lewis: I felt I would raise my voice if I took courage, then someone else would join me.

Ashley Juded: There was no place for us to report these experiences. But I've been talking about this a lot over the years.

Selma Blair: The least I could do was tell my own story and try their stories. Just like I hoped someone bigger than me would help me prove my story.

Lindsey Reynolds: I knew other women would continue to apply for work there. And that made me feel bad.

Wendy Wash: I was so afraid of the reaction. I know the power of the patriarchal system. You know what men can do when they get angry.

Keyste Kidd: They did everything they could so I wouldn't raise any more worries.

Crystal Washington: I was asked if there were other girls he had done this to him and if I could contact them. I had to tell him I wasn't lying. They didn't take me seriously.

Jessica Cantlon: And if they couldn't stop us from talking, would they stop everyone else from listening to us?

Blaise Lipman: People went to my Instagram and were dating. Like this was embarrassing me.

Sarah Gelser: I saw you on the committee, you're very strong. Why didn't you hit him, or why did you let him go on so long?

Selma Blair: I was a smart young woman, went to school, knew how to fight. And again I was manipulated and deceived.

Amanda Schmitt: I felt ashamed that I had never spoken before. That I had no power to stop this.

Juana Melara: The feeling of being humiliated as a woman... you start to wonder, is this my fault?

Lindsey Meers: For so long, I developed this ridiculous belief that since I was a non - white woman in my 20s, it was somehow expected to be treated like this.

Maggie Kelly: We don't have to live like this. I always thought things would change for my daughter, I never thought things could change for me.

Rose McGowan: I'm here to give you permission to feel angry. People are afraid, especially when women are conditioned from birth to be kind.

Maggie Kelly: Be kind, be nice, be liked. Be quiet. Bullshit!

Adam Iwu: We can't all be crazy, we can't all be slow, we're not looking for all of this.

Terry Crews: I tell you, all the people who dare, all the people who speak, you teach people how to treat you. You should not feel ashamed of this.

Tarana Burke: Shame is not for us. Shame is on rapists. “Even I” may be opening a conversation or it may be the entire conversation.

Alyssa Milano: He took the power off the predator and put it on the victim. And maybe, we could probably figure out the importance of this problem.

Rose McGowan: The number of people who shared the stories with me is very intense.

Lindsey Meers: People who were completely unknown managed to tell very personal stories.

Sandra Mueller: It's what they did with this hashtag. And they did a lot. Not only in France, Hong Kong, Japan. It's an international movement.

Amanda Schmitt: I feel like the day I spoke and said “You're a sexual molester”, I changed.

Sandra Pezqueda: I know I was courageous because I talked about what happened despite my horror and fear.

Susan Fawler: It's an honor to be the person who can say “Hey, I talked about it, I risked it. ”

Ashley Juded: I was humble and proud. I'm so happy that history has been heard.

Tarana Burke: It is a direct response to arrogance and display of power and ridicule, which says “We will not be silenced! ”