Opinion

Allison Morris: Prolific abusers use power and status as a cover for their behaviour

Disgraced producer Weinstein is facing the prospect of decades behind bars
Disgraced producer Weinstein is facing the prospect of decades behind bars Disgraced producer Weinstein is facing the prospect of decades behind bars

The conviction of Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein on two counts of sexual assault, more than two years after the first allegations against him were publicised, may seem a story far removed from most of our lives.

However, the story behind how Weinstein, who has been accused of assault by hundreds of women, managed to engage in despicable behaviour unchallenged for so long is a familiar one.

Back in October 2017 the New York Times published a story detailing decades of allegations of sexual harassment against Weinstein. Actresses Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd were among the first women to come forward.

They would later be joined by others in what was an outing of the worst kept secret in Hollywood.

The women’s stories gained momentum and became the #MeToo movement which has slowly started to change the patriarchal system of exploitation of young women and men who dream of stardom in a world that feeds off youth and beauty.

Weinstein promised to help advance the careers of hundreds of women in return for sexual favours, he also delivered on the threat to blacklist anyone who challenged or refused him.

The casting couch was not so much a Hollywood trope as a cautionary tale.

This predatory, threatening behaviour of fame for those who comply and a life of waiting tables for those who don’t might all seem very Hollywood.

However, the story of how Weinstein evaded prosecution and remained top dog unchallenged for so long is a common and familiar one.

The most prolific abusers almost always use power and status as a cover for their behaviour.

The late Sir Anthony Hart, the retired judge who chaired the biggest inquiry ever held into the abuse of children in state and church care in Northern Ireland, noted this throughout the report he produced.

A remarkable and disturbing body of work, the day it was delivered to victims in a hotel on the outskirts of south Belfast remains one of the most challenging I’ve ever put in as a journalist.

Watching adults brought back to their childhoods, loveless cold childhoods, by a report that finally vindicated them was an emotional one, the stories horrific, all different but with a common thread.

They were abused by powerful men and some women, who held all the power, they had none.

They were battered and neglected by people who had standing in the community, they had none.

They had no one to tell for who would believe them?

Sir Anthony Hart was a powerful man and he did listen, and he did believe, and he did stand up for those with no voice and no agency, it took a powerful man to challenge those powerful institutions, both church and state.

Having documented and listened and filed my copy for the following day’s paper I went home and cried, some stories just can’t be left in the office.

But their fight was far from over. Most of those victims will never get justice, there will be no trial for the delay in delivering justice means many of their abusers have long since passed away.

Weinstein’s legal team has already confirmed he will appeal his conviction. The only power he possesses is being able to put his victims through repeated and lengthy evidence sessions.

Back home and earlier this week the High Court ordered that a man who claims he was sexually abused at a children's home run by a religious order, is to gain access to documents in cases involving the same alleged perpetrators.

Legal papers, non-confidential settlements, records of police complaints and personnel files are to be handed over to lawyer Claire McKeegan representing Kevin McGuckin in a civil action against De La Salle Provincialate.

Mr McGuckin claims that Christian Brothers molested him at Rubane House in Kircubbin, Co Down, which was among the homes examined by the late Sir Anthony Hart.

That court cases are still required to press for the truth at this late stage, even after all this time, shows that battling with power is never easy and requires strength of character and unwavering persistence.

And that uphill journey is the same for all victims of powerful men or organisations, whether they live in Belfast or Beverly Hills.