Rose McGowan speaks on the Asia Argento sexual assault issue
Argento (left) and McGowan |
Actor, writer and activist Rose
McGowan has reacted to the trending Asia Argento sexual assault issue and
stated her position on it explicitly in the statement below.
I would first of all like to start off this statement saying thank you
for your patience. A lot of people have been demanding answers and a response
to the recent events surrounding Asia Argento’s sexual assault case. Many
people believe that because we have been close in each other’s lives over the
past year that perhaps I am affiliated with this incident or being complicit. I
am not.
I first met Asia on a red carpet, but it’s only been the past year
through our shared experience of the HW case that we have bonded. Asia was a
person who understood my trauma in a way that many others didn’t. We were able
to talk through them together and champion each other’s voices. We even got
matching dot tattoos! Something I had posted on my IG just about a month ago. It’s
no secret to anyone that Im a blunt, candid, brazen individual vocally- and I
think that’s what I really related to Asia the most with. They were edgy,
confrontational, and strong willed with very little care about how much other’s
liked or disliked them. Rare things to find in women in this industry or the
world.
But then everything changed. In an instant. I received a phone call and
series of messages from the being I’ve been dating- Rain Dove. They said that
they had been texting with Asia and that Asia had revealed that she had indeed
slept with Jimmy Bennet. Rain also shared that Asia had stated that she’d been
receiving unsolicited nudes of Jimmy since he had been 12. Asia mentioned in
these texts that she didn’t take any action on those images. No reporting to
authorities, to the parents, or blocking of Jimmy’s social media. Not even a
simple message “Don’t send me these images. They are inappropriate.” There were
a few other details revealed as well that I am not at liberty to mention in
this statement as investigators do their job.
Rain Dove said that they were going to go to the police with these
texts once we were done speaking no matter what. But that they wanted me to be
aware of them so that I may be able to take further actions. I responded with
“You have to. You must.” I wasted no time. It wasn’t hard to say or support.
What was hard was the shell shock of the realisation that everything the MeToo
movement stood for was about to be in jeopardy. An hour after our conversation
was finished Rain Dove confirmed that they had turned over the texts and were
in conversation with officers. Almost 48 hours later the texts were in the
press.
I had introduced Rain Dove to Asia Argento last month, three days after
the passing of Anthony Bourdain. I was with Asia to comfort and support her.
Rain Dove came to support us both. It was an emotionally chaotic time and Rain
Dove suggested we go to Berlin for a couple days to take the mourning out of
Asia’s home and into a neutral space. So we did. While in Berlin Asia had
mentioned that she was being extorted for a large sum of money every month by
someone who was blackmailing them with a provocative image. No one in the room
knew who the extortionist was. Now we know it to be a reference to this case.
Rain Dove continued on communicating with Asia occasionally after
meeting her- and their conversations have been their own. I know Rain is a
person to whom many high profile entities consult when they are experiencing
social pressures because Rain is good at guiding them through the research
confrontation, rehabilitation, and solution process. While they are a person
who is good at keeping a secret for those dedicated to making things right-
they are also justice driven. So it was not a surprise to me that I received
that call and the messages from them. I’ve referred to Asia in the past as “My
Ride or Die” and said very clearly that their friendship comes first. I know
that coming to me with those messages must have been hard for Rain because of
that so I commend them for their bravery.
To the people who have checked in with me to see if I’m alright- the
answer is thank you and Yes. I’ll be fine. Its sad to lose a friend connection,
but whats even more sad is what happened to Jimmy Bennet. Whether or not the
extortion case is true- it wasn’t fair and it wasn’t right. It is the type of
thing I fight against alongside so many. The reason I haven’t released a
statement is because I’ve frankly been extremely humbled by this event. I had
to take a step back and realise that in my own activism while I fight hard with
passion- I need to evolve. In the past I have been occasionally angry. As a
victim I was justified in fiery feelings. But I know that those accused are the
friends, parents, and family members of other people. There absolutely should
be no leeway or tolerance for sexual assault. Hard stop. NONE. Victims also
shouldn’t be told how they should react or what they should say about their
abusers. However as allies to the victim and voyeurs of an event we should find
a better way to balance support of the victim with due process for the accused.
I’ve never claimed to be perfect. This week especially has made me come to
terms with the fact that we all have a lot of growing to do, including myself.
At this current moment it may be easy to focus on the drama of the
situation. The conspiracy. But the real focus should be on supporting justice.
Supporting honesty. And supporting each other. We can not let this moment break
the momentum of a movement that has freed so many people. We must use it to
allow us to become stronger. More compassionate. More aware. And More
organised.
Asia you were my friend. I loved you. You’ve spent and risked a lot to
stand with the MeToo movement. I really hope you find your way through this
process to rehabilitation and betterment. Anyone can be be better- I hope you
can be, too. Do the right thing. Be honest. Be fair. Let justice stay its
course. Be the person you wish Harvey could have been.
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