James Van Der Beek Confesses He Was Sexually Harassed

Jessica Napoli October 12, 2017, 2:18 pm

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James Van Der Beek at A+E Networks TCA Summer 2017 — Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Lifetime Television

Executive producer/actor James Van Der Beek of 'What Would Diplo Do?' speaks onstage during the Viceland and A+E Networks portion of the 2017 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel.

James Van Der Beek revealed on Wednesday that he is a victim of sexual misconduct. The Dawson’s Creek actor admitted on Twitter that was he touched inappropriately when he was young actor and has spoken up in support of the numerous women coming forward alleging that Harvey Weinstein’s sexually assaulted and harassed them.

Van Der Beek wrote, “I’ve had my ass grabbed by older, powerful men, I’ve had them corner me in inappropriate sexual conversations when I was much younger.” And added, “I understand the unwarranted shame, powerlessness & inability to blow the whistle. There’s a power dynamic that feels impossible to overcome.”

I’ve had my ass grabbed by older, powerful men, I’ve had them corner me in inappropriate sexual conversations when I was much younger…

— James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) October 12, 2017

Van Der Beek isn’t the only male actor to come forward and reveal he suffered this type of mistreatment. Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Terry Crews admitted he, too, was groped my a male executive.

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Crews confessed on Twitter, “This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME….”My ” He further explained, “My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates.”

My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates. (2/cont.)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

The 49-year-old said his wife witnessed the whole encounter and the only reason Crews didn’t retaliate because he felt the media was spin the story in a negative way. “‘240 lbs. Black Man stomps out Hollywood Honcho’ would be the headline the next day,” he wrote.