Way we tell the story of Hollywood sexual assault and harassment matters

Reporter Paula Froelich claims she once observed Harvey Weinstein assault a woman at a book party. Her editor responded with, “Maybe it’s not really a story.”

As it turns out, Weinstein and others are becoming a never-ending story, as more women reveal experiences with powerful men – not just in Hollywood, but across multiple industries. This story typically has two acts. First come the women’s reports – followed by the inevitable dismissal and undermining of them.

As a scholar who has studied violence against women for more than 20 years and watched public outrage over harassment and assault wax and wane, my question is: Could this time be different?
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Why Netflix may not be able to fire Spacey from 'House of Cards'

Netflix may not be able to sack Kevin Spacey from their popular series "House of Cards", after the veteran actor was accused of sexual harassment, due to his contract.

According to a report in The Blast, Spacey's contract does not have an morality clause, meaning that the streaming giant cannot terminate the star's services for his personal actions.

A source said Spacey's contract can only end if he is "unavailable or incapacitated" to perform his duties.

In response, a spokesperson from the streaming service replied saying, "Netflix will not be involved with any further production of House of Cards that includes Kevin Spacey. We will continue to work with MRC (the show's production company) during this hiatus time to evaluate our path forward as it relates to the show..."

The rep added they will not move forward with "Gore," a biopic on the American writer Gore Vidal, featuring Spacey in the title role.

The series was in its post-production phase.

Actor Anthony Rapp had accused Spacey of sexual misconduct, when he was just 14.

Production on the sixth and last season of the Netflix series, in which the actor plays the lead of Frank Underwood, has since been suspended.

Earlier, the streaming service released a statement, saying said it was "deeply troubled" by Rapp's allegation.

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Pakistan parliament forms body to probe allegations against Imran Khan

Pakistan parliament adopted a motion on Friday to form a committee which will probe the harassment allegations against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan.

On Tuesday, National Assembly Member Ayesha Gulalai left the PTI claiming that women affiliated with the party faced constant harassment in the party. She accused the PTI chief of sending her lewd text messages.

The motion was presented by lawmaker Arifa Khalid Parvez and accepted by the house.

Speaking on the matter, Prime Minister Khaqan Abbasi said it affected the integrity of the house and the issue of harassment should be taken seriously.

He said the Inspector General of Punjab had been ordered to provide security to Gulalai, who was receiving threats following her disclosures against the PTI chief.

"Both the PTI chief and Gulalai are respectable personalities; therefore, a committee should be formed to probe the allegations," Abbasi said in his speech.

PTI lawmaker Shireen Mazari rejected the Prime Minister's suggestion and said that, instead of Imran Khan, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khuwaja Asif should be probed for abusing her in the house.
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