James Van Der Beek, Terry Crews Discuss Sexual Assault In Wake Of Harvey Weinstein Scandal

James Van Der Beek and Terry Crews have joined the long list of celebrities coming forward with their own sexual harassment stories in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal.

JAMES VAN DER BEEK, TERRY CREWS SPEAK OUT AGAINST HARVEY WEINSTEIN

The Dawson’s Creek actor tweeted in support of all the women coming forward. In a series of tweets, Van Der Beek shared that he was groped by an older male executive in his earlier acting days. He also defended women’s choice not to speak out at the time of the assault, saying he understands that would be very difficult.

“For anyone judging the women who stayed silent, read this for perspective. Also for anyone brushing off harassment as ‘boys being boys,’ he said in one of four tweets. “What Weinstein is being accused of is criminal. What he’s admitted to is unacceptable – in any industry. I applaud everybody speaking out. I’ve had my ass grabbed by older, powerful men, I’ve had them corner me in inappropriate sexual conversations when I was much younger. I understand the unwarranted shame, powerlessness & inability to blow the whistle. There’s a power dynamic that feels impossible to overcome.”

Van Der Beek is not the first man to speak out about their own sexual harassments in Hollywood. Terry Crews wrote of a similar incident on Twitter, in which a film executive groped his privates at an industry function. “This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME,” he wrote in one of many tweets outlining the story. “My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates.”

Crews details how he thought about hitting the man, but that being a “240 lbs. black man,” it probably wouldn’t make him look very good. He describes how he talked with many people about what had happened, and that he received an apology call from the man the next day. “I decided not 2 take it further becuz I didn’t want 2b ostracized – par 4 the course when the predator has power n influence,” he wrote. “I let it go. And I understand why many women who this happens to let it go.”

“I understand and empathize with those who have remained silent. But Harvey Weinstein is not the only perpetrator. Hollywood is not the only business we’re this happens, and to the casualties of this behavior— you are not alone. Hopefully, me coming forward with my story will deter a predator and encourage someone who feels hopeless,” Crews concluded.