Yahoo News Brit Marling accuses Harvey Weinstein of harassment
The following article contains discussion of sexual misconduct that some readers may find distressing.
The OA actress Brit Marling is the latest in a long line of women to come forward with accusations of sexual harassment against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
In a piece for The Atlantic, Marling wrote of her experiences trying to forge a career in the acting industry, and reflected on the need for women to be "financially independent".
Recalling a meeting she had with Weinstein in a hotel in 2014, Marling wrote of her encounter with "this gatekeeper, who could anoint or destroy me".
"I, too, went to the meeting thinking that perhaps my entire life was about to change for the better. I, too, was asked to meet him in a hotel bar. I, too, met a young, female assistant there who said the meeting had been moved upstairs to his suite because he was a very busy man.
Related: Tom Hanks reckons there's no way back for Harvey Weinstein after sexual misconduct allegations
"I, too, felt my guard go up but was calmed by the presence of another woman my age beside me. I, too, felt terror in the pit of my stomach when that young woman left the room and I was suddenly alone with him," she wrote.
Explaining that Weinstein had asked if she wanted a massage before suggesting they should shower together, Marling added that she was "paralysed by mounting fear".
She gives the opinion that "sex or some version of an erotic exchange" was 'the only direction' in which Weinstein wanted to continue their meeting.
"I later sat in my hotel room alone and wept. I wept because I had gone up the elevator when I knew better. I wept because I had let him touch my shoulders," she concluded.
"I wept because at other times in my life, under other circumstances, I had not been able to leave."
These latest accusations against Weinstein come after the New York Attorney General confirmed he had opened an inquiry into the Weinstein Company.
Related: Harvey Weinstein responds to Lupita Nyong'o's accusations of sexual harassment
According to Buzzfeed, Eric Schneiderman has launched an investigation into whether officials at the company have violated state civil or human rights law.
Harvey Weinstein is currently being investigated for historic sexual misconduct in London, Los Angeles and New York. Weinstein denies any allegations of non-consensual sex.
Rape Crisis England and Wales works towards the elimination of sexual violence. If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland's helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
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