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There have been cases and accusations of sexual abuse in the American film industry reported against people related to the medium of cinema of the United States.

Accusations of sexual assault in the industry go back to 1921, and during the last decades they have gained strength due to the accusations against producers, directors, actors and related publicists. Speculation about sexual assault in the industry grew in 1977, when director Roman Polanski left the United States after being convicted on charges of sexual abuse against a minor.

In October 2017, the issue gained extensive media coverage after producer Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexual abuse by more than 80 women. The accusations of Weinstein led to dozens of men and women to publicly begin to denounce sexual aggressions, in what became known as the Weinstein effect and the Me Too movement. As the issue progressed various other actors and directors were named in similar scandals as either the perpetrator or the victims. The subject continues being object of general interest for the public opinion.

Added: Along with the general public other points of interest went to the industry and the general trend in the world that allows this to happen. The public has began to increasingly look at not only the constraints that women are placed in but also the way the legal system only strengthens these constraints though contracts and such in Hollywood.

Among the actresses who claim to have suffered harassment or rape by Weinstein are Rose McGowan, Angelina Jolie, Mira Sorvino, Paz de la Huerta, Annabella Sciorra and Gwyneth Paltrow. Another one of them, the Italian actress Asia Argento, elaborated a list in which accusations of sexual abuse against Weinstein were collected. The incidents alleged in the list date from 1980 to 2015, and include 18 complaints of rape. In them it was alleged that Weinstein conditioned important roles in films in exchange for sexual favors.

Added: As a result, The Weinstein Company and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decided to expel Weinstein. Currently Weinstein has been charged with first and third degree rape and will have a sentencing on March 11. This has lead to a larger conversation on what these implications of sexual assault have on other industries. In light of the scandal other's in varying industries have stepped forward to admit they have been sexually assaulted leading to a conversation about a culture that perpetuates this. Many have began a larger conversation in light of this huge cover up scandal about sexual assault and the nuances that lead to it.

Added: However it is worth mentioning that Harvey himself believes he is innocent. While asking his and his attorney's opinions on the decision reached by the courts they believe it was due to the peer pressure of convicting him. Harveys attorney, Rotunno says it was fueled by the pressure to charge a man with 5 accounts against him on something. She goes on to say that emotions ran high in the court room furthering the jury's pressure to convict Weinstein on something. As for the defense itself, both Weinstein and Rotunno stick to the claim that the women had consensual encounters with Weinstein showing texts between these women and Harvey that indicated potential consent.

Allen has been married to Soon-Yi since 1997.

Added: Since then the story has unfolded with many other nuances as well. Soon-Yi finally released a statement to the press amongst the allegations against Allen saying that Mia Farrow, the mother, was abusive and emotionally unstable in the household. She went on to give a very controversial expose to the New York Times about the abusive household with Mia Farrow causing the rest of the Farrow children to speak out against Allen and Soon-Yi.

In January 2018, he joked about the issue and appeared unconcerned.

Added: Cosby and his lawyer throughout the trial relied on the image of Cosby in America's eyes and argued that the media was portraying Cosby in a light that would easily sway the jury. They also went on to say that Cosby was being discriminated against as a black man in America. Cosby continued this notion in many interviews that these allegations were based on his race in America.