Mira Sorvino has spoken of her immense relief at Harvey Weinstein’s rape and sexual assault conviction, stating she hopes he ‘rots’ in jail.
Weinstein, 67, was found guilty of two counts – performing a criminal sex act in the first degree and rape in the third degree of two women.
The former high-flying Hollywood producer is awaiting sentencing but his victims and accusers have rallied together to celebrate the outcome.
Mira, 52, previously accused Weinstein of harassing her in a hotel room back in 1995.
Reacting to the conviction at a Silence Breakers press conference this week, Mira said: ‘Learning of Harvey Weinstein’s conviction as a rapist has left me with so many emotions.
‘But one thing is certain: The era of impunity for powerful men who rape people is over. We did this together. We told the truth.’
Mira went on to praise the various figures who have been particularly outspoken against Weinstein since he was first accused of sexual misconduct in October 2017, sparking the #MeToo movement. These include Ronan Farrow, #MeToo founder Tarana Burke and several journalists.
‘No one who hasn’t been through what we have and then spoken publicly can understand how it has felt to have one of the worst memories of one’s life be up for public debate, ridicule, and sympathy,’ Mira explained.
The Mighty Aphrodite actress continued: ‘However, for each individual act of soul-searching and a decision to speak truth, there was a ripple effect that we could not have foreseen, and we are all connected with an unbreakable thread up to this moment of conviction today.
‘Though disappointed that the jury could not reach a guilty verdict on predatory sexual assault, I have a great deal of gratitude to them and the prosecution and the state of New York.’
Weinstein faced five counts of sexual assault-related charges during the lengthy New York City trial but was only found guilty on two of them.
Slamming his legal team, Mira said: ‘[They] prevailed in putting a monster behind bars. They shattered the myth that a rape victim has to fit a one-size-fits-all profile, despite the best efforts of his legal team and well funded PR team to victim-shame.’
During the trial, Weinstein’s lawyers were warned by the judge to ‘leave witnesses alone’ and to refrain from talking about them in public.
Mira continued in her address: ‘Harvey Weinstein has haunted many of our lives, even our nightmares, long after he initially did what to each one of us.
‘We have finally taken that power back, and exposed his evil and that of others like him for its true ugliness.’
She added: ‘He will rot in jail as he deserves, and we begin to have some closure.’
Shortly after his conviction, Weinstein was taken to hospital after suffering chest pains but he is expected to be transported to a jail – reported to be New York’s Rikers Island – in due course.
He is due to appear in court on 11 March for sentencing.
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