#MeToo Leader Asia Argento Accused of Sexual Assault

via vanity fair

Italian director and prominent #MeToo leader Asia Argento has been accused of sexual assault of a minor. The New York Times published an article that exposed Argento of privately paying off her own accuser a total of $380,000. Actor and musician Jimmy Bennett who once played Argento’s son on screen, revealed that she sexually assaulted him when 17 years old in a California hotel room. In documents obtained by The New York Times, the payoff included an agreement between Argento and Bennett involving the incident, but written as a means of financial support of Bennett by mentor Argento.

This past May, Argento delivered a fiery speech at Cannes Film Festival detailing her abuse by Weinstein at that very event 21 years earlier.

This post is not about the psychological cycle that sexual abuse brings, nor is it about the likelihood of a victim to become an abuser. I am not a certified psychologist or expert. This post instead, is about how sexual abuse is not simply about gender, but power and privledge. Power to either control a person or a situation that is benefitial to the perpetrator.

via the New York times

As unfortunate as this news about Argento is, it does not, I repeat— DOES NOT discredit her own account of being raped by Weinstein in 1997. It may discredit her character, but the fact that she was violated by Weinstein still remains.

Argento’s role is especially significant in understanding that sexual abuse is more about power and than it is gender— although both come into play. Awareness for #metoo may have been initiated by a woman (Tarana Burke) and further organized into the vast movement it is today by women— but it is essential to remember that “me” does not hold any gender. “Me” is an identifier for oneself. So whether you are a woman, man, physically able, financially stable, career seeking or what have you— this is a reminder that the #metoo movement is here to fight against anyone who sexually violates and/or harms another.

MeToo founder Burke took to Twitter regarding Argento’s situation tweeting, "We are imperfectly human and we all have to be accountable for our individual behavior," she continued. "People will use these recent news stories to try and discredit this movement — don’t let that happen.”

Sil Lai Abrams, Russell Simmons’ accuser also took to Twitter, saying: “A person can be a victim and a perpetrator. One fact does not erase the other. Irrespective of their gender, perpetrators must be held accountable." She continued: "Just because Asia Argento is a victim of Harvey Weinstein's predation doesn't mean that she should be treated differently for her own predation of an underage boy #MeToo."

The Argento story confirms how widely sexual abuse affects individuals regardless of gender, industry or economic status. A huge thank you to the countless women and the growing number of men such Terry Crews, Anthony Rapp and others who continue to shed light on the significance and safety this movement aims to provide.