Weinstein process: An end full of questions about justice and abuse of power!

Weinstein process: An end full of questions about justice and abuse of power!

New York, USA - On June 3, 2025, the trial against the former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein in New York is coming to an end. The public prosecutor raises serious allegations against the 73-year-old, who is charged between 2006 and 2013 sexual abuse of three women. Weinstein, who decidedly denied the allegations and pleads for not guilty, is still under the pressure of a judgment imposed five years ago, which sentenced him to 23 years in prison. This judgment was canceled in spring 2023 and led to a new procedure. Regardless of the outcome of the current process, Weinstein remains in custody.

The indictment is based on the statements of Mimi Haleyi, Jessica Mann and Kaja Sokola, who had learned Weinstein in the hope of making a career in the film industry. They report that he has exploited his power position to sexually harass her. In this context, Weinstein wants to wash his name in after the allegations also helped him to create the #Metoo movement in 2017. The change in the film industry, triggered by other prominent cases, is again tested by this latest development.

Legal history and social effects

The allegations against Weinstein, which became public in 2016 by actress Rose McGowan and her allegations of rape of an influential producer, triggered a wave of outrage. Celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow joined the allegations against Weinstein. The reporting on the allegations, in particular by journalists Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey in an article in the New York Times on October 5, 2017, led to the #Metoo movement becoming more important worldwide. Since then, this movement has encouraged numerous women to share their experiences with sexual harassment.

in 2020 Weinstein was finally spoken in another procedure, but a later appeal procedure led to his acquittal. From April 2024 he faced a court proceedings again. During the ongoing procedure, Jessica Mann, as one of the victims in the courtroom, shared her experiences, which underlines the emotional severity of the allegations.

changes in the film industry

As a result of these developments, a survey by the organization "Women in Film" between September 21 and October 3, 2022 has also brought significant results. The survey surveyed 174 people and found that over 70 % of those surveyed indicate a "somewhat improved" culture in relation to abuse and misconduct in Hollywood. Nevertheless, 69 % have reported personal experiences about abuse or misconduct in the past five years, which indicates that the improvements are not sufficient to offer everyone a safe work environment. It is particularly alarming that 55 % of the People of Color surveyed has experienced abuse or misconduct.

The debate about Weinstein and the #Metoo movement shows that despite the progress made there is still a lot of work ahead of us. The outcome of the current procedure could have far -reaching consequences not only for Weinstein, but for the entire film industry.