Since #MeToo went viral in October 2017 hundreds of women have come forward to share their stories of harassment and sexual assault.

In a recent interview with The Times, Lindsay Lohan was quoted saying that, “by women speaking against all these things it makes them look weak”. The 32-year-old also added that she thought some of the women were “simply seeking attention”.

After facing backlash, she has now come forward to apologise for “any hurt and distress” caused by her comments.

This is not the first time that Lohan has spoken out about the #MeToo movement. Last year she defended Harvey Weinstein when he faced accusations, saying she felt sorry for him and that “he’s never harmed me or did anything to me. We’ve done several movies together. I think everyone needs to stop.”

Since then, over 75 women have come forward to accuse Weinstein and he has pleaded not guilty to charges of predatory sexual assault.

In The Times interview, Lohan also stated that “if it happens at that moment, you discuss it at that moment, you make it a real thing by making in a police report”.

She clearly lacks any understanding as to how hard it is for these women to speak out about traumatic incidents such as these. With fear of not being believed a major factor in why so many women have struggled to speak out before now.

This is something that Lohan herself demonstrated when she refused to believe the accounts of multiple women speaking out against Weinstein, and then again with these recent remarks.

When women continue to face disbelief and accusations of ‘seeking attention’, it will only sustain the environment of silence that allows for continued abuse.

In her apology Lohan said “I feel very strongly about the #MeToo movement and have the utmost respect and admiration for the women brave enough to come forward and speak out about their experiences.

“Their testimony has served to protect those who can’t speak, and give strength to those who have struggled to have their voices heard”.

This statement does seem to acknowledge the difficulty women face when telling their truth, but it doesn’t seem to align with either of Lohan’s previous statements. Making me question whether this is anything more than a scripted statement in response to heavy criticism.

With such a sensitive issue and many women still unable to speak out, people with a public status like Lohan’s need to consider more carefully what they say if they really do support the brave women of #MeToo.

 

Photo by Mihai Surdu on Unsplash

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