Mariska Hargitay delivers a moving speech about the strength of women’s voices in response to Harvey Weinstein’s overturned verdict.

TFD – Mariska Hargitay voices her thoughts on the New York Court’s decision to reverse Harvey Weinstein’s sex offenses conviction, highlighting the impact on the #MeToo movement.

Mariska Hargitay, an actress and activist, is commenting on the decision of the New York Court of Appeal to reverse the sex offenses conviction of Harvey Weinstein, a former influential Hollywood executive.

At Variety’s Power of Women event in New York on Thursday, Hargitay got an award for her work advocating for victims of sexual assault. During her address, she took a time to explain “the reason” she believed Weinstein’s conviction was reversed.

“The voices of too many women. According to a video of her remarks, she stated, “Too many women’s voices were allowed to speak.” “There is nothing more beautiful than that,” the speaker said.

Too many women speaking brings change,” she went on. The establishment is unsettled when too many women speak. If there are too many women, we will be heard more and our opinions may be taken seriously.

Garnering applause and cheers from the audience, Hargitay spoke about how the #MeToo movement is an example of the “tidal wave of change” that can happen when women simply say two words: “Me too.”

She said, “Of course there’s a backlash! ” with reference to the “backlash” that followed the #MeToo movement. What were their expectations? For women to speak out loudly, often, collectively, and with intention without fear of retaliation?

She claimed that “the backlash is proof of how powerful those voices were.” What strength those voices have.

The New York Court of Appeals reversed Weinstein’s 2020 conviction for third-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual conduct last week. He received a 23-year prison sentence.

The ex-film producer has insisted on his innocence and refuted any instances of having sex without consent.

The court ruled that the testimony of witnesses who had committed “prior bad acts” should not have been permitted because it “served only to establish defendant’s propensity to commit the crimes charged and was unnecessary to establish defendant’s intent.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office prosecutors announced to the court on Wednesday that they will retry the sex crimes case. The judge granted Weinstein’s request to stay in detention pending his retrial. The matter’s next hearing is scheduled for May 29.

Through her Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization she created in 2004, Hargitay actively advocates for raising awareness and offering support to survivors of sexual abuse. She has previously written about her personal experience as a survivor of rape.