Yahoo News Big Bang star hits back at 'victim-blaming' accusations
The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik has responded after being accused of victim-blaming following a recent essay she wrote for The New York Times about the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal.
The op-ed, titled Being a Feminist in Harvey Weinstein's World, was published on Friday (October 13) and in it the actress made comments that drew criticism from readers, including the suggestion that "non-traditional" Hollywood women are "overlooked" by sexual harassers.
Bialik was criticised by readers who said that her remarks imply only conventionally attractive women get sexually harassed, and now the actress has responded to those accusations during a Facebook live talk with the New York Times' Opinion section.
"Obviously it's been a very exciting and complicated handful of days," she began.
"I have stayed off social media, but it has become clear to me that there are people who think that I either implied or overtly stated that you can be protected from assault because of the clothing that you wear or the behaviour that you exhibit.
"That is absolutely not what my intention was, and I think that it is safe for me to start this conversation by saying there is no way to avoid being the victim of assault by what you wear or the way you behave."
She continued to stress that the only people responsible for assault are "the predators who are committing those horrendous acts".
"I really do regret that this became what it became, because literally I was trying to speak about a very specific experience I had in a very specific industry - I was not looking to speak about assault and rape in general," she added.
"I'm a human being, and there's a lot that I've chosen not to share, but absolutely I am deeply, deeply hurt if any women who has been assaulted - or man - thinks that in any way I was victim-blaming."
While re-enforcing the statement that she doesn't believe how a person dresses relates to whether that person is assaulted, Mayim continued to clarify that she was talking about Hollywood as she personally sees it.
"What I'm talking about specifically is the culture of Hollywood, the way that women are encourage to present themselves, and the way that men encourage women to present themselves," she said.
"It's a very, very specific world that I am speaking from my experience in as a person who chooses to not engage in certain ways. I am not passing judgment on women who do. I sincerely hope that people can hear me when I say that.
"This Harvey Weinstein thing has touched a nerve for so many of us. I would like to find productive ways for us to work together to find ways that we can all feel empowered and protected despite what is going on."
Harvey Weinstein has faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct over the last week and a half, and high-profile Hollywood stars including Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Rose McGowan, Cara Delevingne and Ashley Judd are among those who have gone on record. He has "unequivocally denied" any allegations of non-consensual sex.
Elsewhere, other stars including Riverdale's Lili Reinhart have come forward to share their own experiences of sexual harassment in the industry.
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