I can also defend Ms. McGowan, for not having had enough mercy given to her in her own life to be able to consider giving it to others before she has realized its value.
For the sake of argument, let's say that the incident between Ms. Argento and her accuser occurred in the way that her accuser described. In that case, his story supports, rather than casts doubt on, her story about her first sexual encounter with Mr. Weinstein.
Toxic environments which disbelieve and condemn victims also tend to condition victims to think that nothing bad has happened to them, and can predispose them to continue the cycle.
So far, this is an isolated incident. If other people have felt victimized by Ms. Argento, then it is their right to talk about it if they want to talk about it. It will then be her obligation to meet what they say with as much grace, dignity, honesty and empathy as she can, in the aftermath of her boyfriend's suicide and under the scrutiny of a mostly hostile media that has promoted sexual violence against women, children, homeless people, psychiatric patients, and everyone who isn't a multimillionaire, since 2010.
