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Mira Sorvino is seeking California Gov. Jerry Brown’s support on five sexual harassment protection bills — almost one year after she leveledsexual harassment allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein.
The Oscar-winning actress, 50, wrote anop-ed for theLos Angeles Timespublished on Monday in which she reached out to Brown, 80, about signing bills into law that would protect people from workplace harassment.
She continued, “Over the last 12 months, an unprecedented number of men (and some women) have been called out for their horrendous acts. Some have lost jobs and status, a precious few face criminal proceedings, and some remain in power.”
“Every time a predator is held accountable, it shows the public’s hunger to stop the gross injustices of sexual harassment, abuse and rape,” she explained. “But when the dust settles, will corporate culture, the entertainment industry, the political arena and religious institutions go back to business as usual — protecting their bottom lines and reputations, silencing victims, keeping abusers in play.”
Sorvino has been working toward passing bills in the California Legislature under the hashtag #TakeTheLead, which she said refers to California’s “opportunity to move to the forefront of protecting women’s and all worker’s rights” making it the “toughest slate of anti-sexual harassment bills in the nation.”
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The bills — AB 1870, SB 224, SB 1343, SB 1300 and AB 3080 — include reforms on extending the statute of limitations on filing sexual harassment claims from one to three years, as well as ending the exemption from punishment afforded to those accused of sexual harassment in the “one free grope” rule in California.
“Untold numbers of victims have been silenced in this way, especially those who lack the financial resources for a long, drawn-out legal battle to fight the unfairness of the clause,” the actress wrote. “We ask [Brown] to stand with the millions of people around the world who have raised their voices in a brave chorus of #MeToo and #TimesUp, and to add to this legacy the fearless protection of all working people.”
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“We count on him to sign all five bills, and to turn a dream of our movement into reality,” she added.
Weinstein was indicted on charges of rapein the first and third degree as well as criminal sexual act in the first degree in May in relation to different accusations of sexual assault. He plednot guiltyin early June.
Hewas arrested on May 25on those same counts and quickly released on bail. He is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 22 for a hearing on motions in his case, according to N.Y.C. prosecutors.
source: people.com
