Harvey Weinstein, an acclaimed movie producer and founder of Miramax Films, was sentenced to 23 years in prison.

Production assistant Miriam Haley claimed she was sexually assaulted by Weinstein in 2006.

He was also charged with the rape of actress Jessica Mann in 2013.

Weinstein’s involvement in popular films such as Pulp Fiction earned him a name amongst some of the most prominent producers.

However, this reputation was tarnished three years ago when the alleged rape and sexual harassment claims first surfaced.

These allegations would launch what would be known as the #MeToo movement.

The movement is part of an effort being made to increase the awareness of sexual harassment.

“Originally founded in 2006, it [the MeToo Movement] became prominent both online and in the mainstream in late 2017, when multiple high-profile actresses opened up about their experiences with sexual harassment in the film industry.”

The verdict was a huge win for the movement, and District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. claimed that it signified “a new landscape for survivors of sexual assault in America.”

However, Vance had recently come under fire.

His office had dropped some serious cases, including one which allowed a gynecologist, committing medical malpractice, to avoid prison.

Vance had controversially been recognized for “sidestepping an effort to pursue charges against Weinstein in 2015”

Vance apologized for this.

“I think we, like law enforcement and society everywhere, is understanding better the dynamics around sexual assaults,” Vance told WNBC-TV. “I am changed only to the extent that I am more admiring than ever of the courage that it took for these women to testify against Harvey Weinstein, and to testify against a man with his power and prestige and vindictiveness took real courage.”

Vance argued that the emphasis which is placed on sexual offenses was not the same in 2015 as it has progressed to be now.

“We were looking at that case with 2015 eyes,” Vance told The Times. “We weren’t looking at that case with 2019 eyes.”

However, earlier during the trials Weinstein defended his actions but admitted to having committed a wrongdoing.

“I came of age in the ’60s and ’70s, when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different,” Weinstein said. “That was the culture then. I have since learned it is not an excuse.”

These verdicts were reached in New York.

Weinstein has been charged with four more sex crimes in California.

These include, “raping one woman and sexually assaulting another in separate incidents over two days in Beverly Hills hotel rooms in 2013, for a total of four counts: one felony count of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual penetration by use of force and sexual battery by restraint.”

Weinstein has yet to be tried in Los Angeles.

“Harvey Weinstein.” AP NEWS, apnews.com/HarveyWeinstein.

“Harvey Weinstein.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 11 Mar. 2020, www.biography.com/filmmaker/harvey-weinstein.

“Harvey Weinstein Timeline: How the Scandal Unfolded.” BBC News, BBC, 24 Feb. 2020, www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-41594672.

“Me Too: Sexual Harassment Awareness & Prevention.” Maryville Online, 23 Jan. 2020, online.maryville.edu/blog/understanding-the-me-too-movement-a-sexual-harassment-awareness-guide/.