Mariska Hargitay addresses power of women's voices amid Harvey Weinstein case

WASHINGTON: Actor and activist Mariska Hargitay has delivered a powerful message regarding the recent overturning of Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction.

Speaking at Variety's Power of Women event in New York, Hargitay, honoured for her advocacy work for survivors of sexual assault, expressed her sentiments on the decision by the New York Court of Appeals, reported Variety. 

Hargitay highlighted the significance of women's voices in influencing change, stating, "I do want to say something about the overturned Harvey Weinstein conviction. Specifically about the reason it was overturned: Too many women's voices. Too many women were allowed to speak."

She emphasized the transformative impact of women speaking out, asserting that it shakes establishments and fosters greater receptivity to their concerns.

Drawing attention to the #MeToo movement, Hargitay characterized it as a testament to the collective power of women's voices, capable of catalyzing substantial societal shifts with the simple phrase, "Me too."

Despite acknowledging the inevitable backlash faced by such movements, she underscored it as indicative of the potency of these voices, reported Variety.

The decision to overturn Weinstein's conviction, which stemmed from testimonies including "prior bad acts," elicited widespread reactions.

The court ruled that such testimonies were unnecessary to establish intent and only served to establish propensity, prompting prosecutors to announce their intention to retry the case, as per Variety.

Weinstein, who has consistently denied any non-consensual sexual activity, faces the prospect of a retrial as the legal saga continues.

Hargitay's remarks echo her personal commitment to supporting survivors, drawing from her own experiences and her foundation, the Joyful Heart Foundation, founded in 2004.

With the next hearing set for May 29, the outcome of Weinstein's retrial remains uncertain.