With the Time’s Up and #MeToo movements there has been a seismic shift in our current culture. Victims of sexual abuse, one after another, are speaking out against their perpetrators.
With all the accusations against Kevin Spacey by men we see that women are not the only ones subject to sexual abuse. Boys and men who are victims of sexual assault or harassment are equally deserving of justice and healing as the countless female victims of these abuses.
The 1st public accusation against Kevin Spacey was made by Anthony Rapp. On October 29th, 2017 Rapp shared in an interview that Spacey made sexual advances towards him in 1986, when he was just 14. Anthony has since said, “I could only tell my story, but I knew there were more stories. So, I was just hopeful that coming forward, it would encourage other people to tell the truth.”
Rapp’s statement did just that, 15 men have since come forward with stories of sexual assault at the hand of Kevin Spacey. Many were even minors at the time they were assaulted by Spacey. Criminal investigations have now been launched against Spacey in England and the United States.
The countless allegations against Kevin Spacey are just another testament of how widespread and entrench this culture of sexual misconduct is in our society. Many of those who have spoken out against Spacey met him in a professional setting but regardless soon became targets of inappropriate sexual conduct. The use of power to silence victims has been at work in our society for way too long as victims have waited dozens of years to speak out against their perpetrators, all out of fear. These stories from women and now even men in Hollywood and other industries of sexual abuse show a reckless disregard for personal and professional boundaries and a gross, persistent abuse of power. Coercive sexual acts by nature are unbalanced and abusive. It appears that Kevin Spacey relied on his position of power and influence to silence those he abused. It is time that abusers face the consequences for their actions.
Rapp said in a recent interview, “I knew that it was a risky thing. I knew that he was very popular, and certainly a respected actor, but at the same time, I knew that I was trying to protect people. And I was incredibly gratified by the enormous wave of support.”
The National Center on Sexual Exploitation has been making serious efforts to bring to light the necessity to acknowledge that men and boys are being sexually assaulted alongside females. The numerous assaults at the hand of Kevin Spacey are just confirmation that sexual exploitation of men and boys is just as serious. You can read more about The National Center on Sexual Exploitation’s efforts here.
Below are short descriptions of public accusations against Kevin Spacey:
Actor Anthony Rapp claims Spacey made sexual advances towards him when he was 14. Rapp says Spacey laid on top of him at a party at the actor’s apartment and “was trying to seduce” him. In a statement, Spacey said he has no memory of the alleged incident while offering an apology to Rapp “for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior”.
Mexican actor Roberto Cavazos claims he had “a couple of nasty encounters…that were on the verge of being called harassment”.
Daniel Beal claims Spacey exposed himself to him in 2010 while working at a hotel, then invited the 19-year-old up to his hotel room. Following the incident Spacey gave him an inexpensive watch.
Justin Dawes said when he was 16, in 1988, Spacey invited him and a male friend to his apartment to watch a movie. Spacey gave them alcohol and played pornography on the TV. Dawes said it was “awkward” but they left without incident.
Mark Ebenhoch reported that he was on set when Spacey instructed on of his “harem” of young male crewmembers to solicit him for sex with Spacey.
Harry Dreyfuss claims Spacey grouped him in 2008 in his father’s, Richard Dreyfuss, presence.
US film-maker Tony Montana claims he was “forcefully” groped by Space in 2003.
Kris Nixon claims Spacey groped him at a party held in the actor’s Long apartment in 2008.
An anonymous bartender claims Spacey sexually assaulted him in 2008 in Spacey’s London home and he left after Spacey warned him to keep quiet about it.
Anonymous former child actor said he began a sexual relationship with Spacey in 1983 when he was 14 and Spacey was 24 but it ended a year later. Spacey allegedly attempted to rape him and he believes Spacey is a “pedophile”.
Anonymous production assistant on House of Cards said Spacey sexually assaulted him by putting his hand down the assistant’s pants while Spacey was driving them to the Baltimore-area space. The touching was non-consensual.
An anonymous British journalist said that in his 20’s Spacey repeatedly grabbed his genitals and angrily tried to block him from fleeing.
“John” said that Spacey tried to seduce him at his New York apartment in 1984 when he was 17. He woke up to find Spacey’s arms around him. He said he didn’t believe anything sexual took place but “was uncomfortable at best, traumatized at worst”.
Heather Unruh held a press conference to accuse Spacey of groping the genitals of her then 18-year-old son in a bar.
Andy Holtmzan said that in 1981 he was on a phone call when he had an altercation with Spacey. He says, “the aggression was certainly more than a grope. When I was finally able to push him off and scream at him, he theatrically stepped back, incredibly angry, grabbed his coat and bag, stormed out and slammed the door.”
