Meryl Streep Releases Statement on Harvey Weinstein Calling His Abuse “Inexcusable” and “Disgraceful”

Meryl Streep in Weinstein Company’s August: Osage County

Meryl Streep has released a statement about Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein following the New York Times report exposing Weinstein’s decades of sexual harassment and abuse. Streep, who has collaborated with Weinstein in films like August: Osage County and The Iron Lady, claims that she was not aware of Weinstein’s behavior with women.

One of the most upsetting parts of this news was the fact that Weinstein’s behavior seemed to be a well-known fact in the industry—an open secret that people seemed to just tolerate or whisper about. Indicative of a larger problem, the many allegations make it clear that women are constantly subjected to powerful men taking advantage of them and silencing them with that power imbalance.

Streep, in her statement, fully stands by the women whom she calls “brave” and “heroes.” The actress also acknowledges the systematic problem in the industry, pointing out that this abuse of power is “familiar.” She hopes that “our “watchdog media will ultimately change the game.”

The full statement reads:

“The disgraceful news about Harvey Weinstein has appalled those of us whose work he championed, and those whose good and worthy causes he supported. The intrepid women who raised their voices to expose this abuse are our heroes.

One thing can be clarified. Not everybody knew. Harvey supported the work fiercely, was exasperating but respectful with me in our working relationship, and with many others with whom he worked professionally. I didn’t know about these other offenses: I did not know about his financial settlements with actresses and colleagues; I did not know about his having meetings in his hotel room, his bathroom, or other inappropriate, coercive acts. And If everybody knew, I don’t believe that all the investigative reporters in the entertainment and the hard news media would have neglected for decades to write about it.

The behavior is inexcusable, but the abuse of power familiar. Each brave voice that is raised, heard and credited by our watchdog media will ultimately change the game.”

(via Huffington Post)