This is What a Psychologist Says About Survivors and the Weinstein Verdict

Jurors in Harvey Weinstein’s rape trial in New York City found him guilty today of a first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape. He was acquitted of three other charges, including the two most serious: predatory sexual assault.

Last week, I spoke with Dr. Vaile Wright, director of clinical research at the American Psychological Association, about how sexual assault survivors can cope with all of the coverage around the verdict and other high-profile sexual assault cases. (This interview has been edited for clarity and length)

Do you think the Weinstein verdict will be triggering for many sexual assault survivors?

Triggers are really individualized, so what may trigger one person won’t trigger another survivor. This whole trial has likely been a trigger for many people, from details of the acts themselves and victims’ testimonies to the defense and blaming victims. This is arguably the most high-profile sexual assault case that we’ve ever seen, and it’s going to have some real implications.

What can sexual assault survivors who have been closely following a high-profile case like Weinstein’s do to take care of themselves?

Survivors can make a choice about whether they want to stay informed or not about what’s happening. If they choose to stay informed, they should do it with moderation and put some boundaries around it. What’s a problem is when the anticipation turns into compulsively checking your phone to see what happened, to find out any new information or see what people are saying now. It keeps you in a state of hyperarousal, and you’re never getting relief, but you’re not getting new information either to make you feel better.

If everything around this is causing a person distress – if it’s impairing their life functioning, if they’re having a hard time going to work – seek out professional help. Even if it’s just grabbing a session with a therapist you haven’t seen in a couple years, there’s no shame in doing this. This trial is a big deal.

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Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of a felony sex crime and third-degree rape at his New York trial. He faces up to 25 years in prison. He was acquitted of predatory sexual assault, which carries a potential sentence of life in prison.⁣ ⁣ The disgraced movie producer was charged with raping one woman and forcing oral sex on another woman. An additional four women testified in support, alleging that Weinstein used his power in the industry to target young women. Half of the women are represented by sexual harassment attorney Gloria Allred. Weinstein's lawyers argued that all the encounters were consensual.⁣ ⁣ A rape accusation from the early '90's was used to decide if Weinstein should be charged with predatory sexual assault, which requires repeat offenses. He didn't face charges on the allegation because of the statute of limitations in effect at the time. ⁣ ⁣ In addition to the charges from this trial, Weinstein still faces criminal allegations in California from two other women.⁣ ⁣ Around 100 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct. The throngs of allegations pushed the #MeToo movement into the mainstream in 2017, helping thousands of people speak out about sexual harassment and assault.⁣ ⁣ #MeToo #HarveyWeinstein #WeinsteinTrial #MeTooMovement #Weinstein #WeinsteinVerdict⁣

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What can survivors do when a verdict has been delivered?

I think, for many people, there are two paths — the path of just coping with how you feel (self-care, seeking out social support, not constantly being on your phone). And then there’s probably a shift to problem-solving mode: How do I get more active and give back in some way — whether to a cause in this area or not. I think a lot of people feel contributing in a positive way can help counter the invalidation, the despair.

Any tips for how media can cover events like the Weinstein case more responsibly?

One of the things I feel is often missing is that the lede isn’t about the survivors. The lede always seems to be about the abuser or the man. I could see the focus just being totally on the abuser in this case without any sort of balanced focus on the women and/or victims in the actual case, as well as just survivors in general.