The Harvey Weinstein allegations of sexual assault and in some cases rape from actresses both lesser-known and world-renowned have helped shed light on a truly disgusting practice of the rich and powerful in Hollywood.
In the past few weeks, Weinstein’s 30-year career at the top of Tinsel Town has come crashing down, with repercussions seen across the world.
On social media, women have been using the hashtag ‘me too’, to highlight and describe the sexual assault and bullying practices they’ve experienced.
Singers Paloma Faith and Tom Jones – from different generations of the music industry – have both highlighted the sexual exploitation of the industry.
But despite the grizzly details of abuse coming to light in recent weeks, there’s one problem within Hollywood which has been mentioned a few times, but often buried within the news cycle, for obvious reasons.
Corey Feldman, a child actor who starred alongside Corey Haim in 1987 thriller The Lost Boys, made claims in 2012 how paedophilia has been and always will be, the biggest scandal in Hollywood – and how it’s being covered up to protect some rich and powerful people.
Haim, who died in 2010, along with Feldman, were both allegedly raped by Hollywood moguls as boys and in a 2016 interview with ABC News, Feldman said:
I can tell you the number one problem was and is and always will be, paedophilia.
It’s all done under the radar. It’s the big secret. I was surrounded by them when I was 14 years old. Literally. They were everywhere, like vultures.
Apparently, the figures are ‘still prominent within the business’ today but the man was not Harvey Weinstein, who’s been under the spotlight so intensely recently.
In 2013, Feldman told ABC News:
There are people, that were the people that did this to both me and Corey, [Haim] that are still working.
They’re still out there and that are some of the richest, most powerful people in the business. And they don’t want me saying what I am saying right now.
Naturally, Feldman was unable to name names due to the threat of legal action in California which could cripple him financially.
In 2012, he explained:
I’m not able to name names. People are frustrated, people are angry, they want to know how is this happening and they want answers – and they turn to me and they say, ‘Why don’t you be a man and stand up and name names and stop hiding and be a coward?’
I have to deal with that, which is not pleasant, especially given the fact that I would love to name names. I’d love to be the first to do it. But unfortunately California conveniently enough has a statue of limitations that prevents that from happening.
Because if I were to go and mention anybody’s name I would be the one that would be in legal problems and I am the one that would be sued.
Just last week, James Van Der Beek, star of Dawson’s Creek, alleged he also had experienced sexual harassment.
The stark reality is what happened to Harvey Weinstein is a rarity rather than the norm due to outside pressures which come with trying to not just expose but crush stigmas, such as the ones which have blighted Hollywood, seemingly forever.
People like Corey Feldman and all the people who have been used, abused and sexually exploited by those in powerful positions need supporting not just by people outside the industry but those within it and most importantly, those who govern and make laws to protect these nasty people.
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can call the Samaritans on their free, 24-hour number, 116 123.
Taking the idea of ‘being woke’ to a whole new level over a decade-long career in sport, court and online news, George has worked for titles and agencies including ESPN FC, Eurosport, LADbible and Court News UK. He may not have a degree but does have an unhealthy obsession with Lord of the Rings.