Sexual Predators Don't Deserve to Be Celebrated at the Oscars

What do Harvey Weinstein, Woody Allen, Roman Polanski, and Alfred Hitchcock all have in common? Yes, they all have either won or been nominated for an Academy Award – but more importantly, they are all sexual predators.

Hollywood has a long history of excusing men for sexual assault and sexual harassment while also enabling these very behaviors. Being honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is an all too common example of this. Imagine the retraumatization women must experience while watching their abusers not only get away with abuse, but also being publically lauded.

It's time for the Academy to stop celebrating sexual predators. Please sign this petition demanding that the Academy refuse to honor anyone accused of sexual assault or sexual harassment for an Academy Award in 2018.

While many in the industry and the Academy have been quick to distance themselves from some abusers — like Harvey Weinstein — the truth is, his behavior was no big secret in the industry for decades. The only reason Weinstein has started suffering consequences for his actions now is because the public found out.

But there are plenty of other not-so secret abusers in Hollywood, including James Franco, who just won the Best Actor Golden Globe and is likely to be nominated for an Oscar, despite multiple allegations against him for sexually inappropriate behavior.

In 2014, the then 35-year old actor sent suggestive messages to a 17-year-old fan on Instagram, asking her if he should "rent a hotel room." Recently, five more women have come forward to accuse Franco of sexual misconduct and exploitative behavior.

#TimesUp for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to stay silent on sexual harassment and abuse. Please sign this petition and demand that the Academy not honor sexual predators — like James Franco — at the 2018 Academy Awards.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons