Woody Allen abuse allegation

[twinkles**stars]

New York (AFP) - The adopted daughter of Woody Allen has spoken for the first time about the alleged sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of the legendary Hollywood director during her childhood.

In an open letter published on a New York Times blog, Dylan Farrow, adopted by Allen during his relationship with actress Mia Farrow, detailed being abused by the director when she was seven years old.

"He told me to lay on my stomach and play with my brother's electric train set. Then he sexually assaulted me," Farrow, 28, wrote in the letter.

"He talked to me while he did it, whispering that I was a good girl, that this was our secret, promising that we'd go to Paris and I'd be a star in his movies."

It is the first time Dylan Farrow has spoken publicly about the unproven allegations of abuse which emerged more than two decades ago in the aftermath of Allen's acrimonious split with Mia Farrow in 1992.

Allen, who left Mia Farrow after starting a relationship with the actress's adopted daughter from a previous marriage, Soon-Yi Previn, has always vigorously denied abusing Dylan Farrow.

A New York judge in the 1994 custody battle between Allen and Farrow ruled that the abuse allegations were inconclusive, while at the same time lambasted the director as "self-absorbed, untrustworthy and insensitive."

Allen's representatives could not be immediately reached for comment on Saturday after Dylan Farrow's revelations. The New York Times reported that he had refused to comment.

His adopted daughter accused the Hollywood establishment of sweeping Allen's alleged crimes under the carpet by continuing to honor his films.

Dylan with her mother Mia Farrow in 1990, two years before the alleged incident. Photo: Getty

The director's latest movie, "Blue Jasmine", is nominated for three Academy Awards at next month's Oscars, including best original screenplay for the director.

Farrow called on three of the stars of "Blue Jasmine" -- Australian actress Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin and Louis C.K. to examine their relationship with Allen, asking pointedly: "What if it had been your child?"

"Woody Allen was never convicted of any crime. That he got away with what he did to me haunted me as I grew up," she wrote.

"That torment was made worse by Hollywood. All but a precious few (my heroes) turned a blind eye. Most found it easier to accept the ambiguity, to say, 'who can say what happened,' to pretend that nothing was wrong.

"Actors praised him at awards shows. Networks put him on TV. Critics put him in magazines.

"Woody Allen is a living testament to the way our society fails the survivors of sexual assault and abuse."

[**meep**]

I can see how that may be perceived that way though:

After ending his relationship with Mia Farrow in 1992, Allen continued his relationship with Soon-Yi Previn. Though Allen never married Mia Farrow and was not Previn's legal stepfather, the relationship between Allen and Previn has often been referred to as a stepfather involved romantically with his stepdaughter because she was adopted and legally Farrow's daughter and Allen's son's sister. (wiki)

[polksaladallie]

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@amber-eyed-girl wrote:
Martini, experts are often the last person to get anywhere...a stranger, usually a man, asking a child about sexual matters?

Regardless of how unwilling...sounds like interrogation. Which is what it is.

Children often tell noone, while they are still children.

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Thirty years ago the first specific child sexual abuse team involving police and RCH was formed in Brisbane.  It consisted of a highly specialised trained people, women and men, who used anatomically correct dolls, and were very gentle with their questioning.  They don't ask about " sexual matters".   It is videotaped.  Usually when the perpetrator is confronted with the evidence, they confess, and then proceedings and help go on from there.  I would think that USA has similar teams.

[amber-eyed-girl]

I know that is how it is here, but in the U.S. I believe that it is set State by State, in terms of proceedings and who is involved in the questioning.

A few posters here have added information regarding who she was questioned by, but not how.

Whatever was done, it appears that she is still carrying the emotions of it all, and seems to believe what she is now saying.

[amber-eyed-girl]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/danny-shea/heres-the-1993-woody-alle_b_4746866.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpop...

Has information regarding the custody ruling, and the full document.

[electric*mayhem*band]

Nothing to do with Woody Allen but on (Thursday) actor William Roache (Ken Barlow in Coronation Street), was acquitted of rape and indecent assault, due to a lack of proof by the CPS. Don't know if anyone over here is aware of this case.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/feb/06/coronation-street-actor-william-roache-acquitted

Next in line is Rolf Harris, later in the year. I suppose his court case will go the same way.

[amber-eyed-girl]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2554598/Cleared-Corrie-star-Bill-Roache-facing-fresh-anguish...

He may face fresh charges though.

[electric*mayhem*band]

Unfortunately Amber, that comes from the worst of British newspapers for scaremongering and sensationalism. (Named 'The Daily Wail' here). I have searched and cannot find any other newspaper to report this.

I do hope however that it's true, and comes to fruition, and the CPS are more on the ball next time, should there be one. I think he was able to afford one of the best Barristers and legal team that money can buy. That and a glowing character reference from three of his Street co-stars, helped his case no end. What else were they going to say ? Hardly likely to do him an injustice, were they ?

The individuals in question were so young at the time, that their memories of the occasions were clouded. That was their downfall. That and the above. Also there was no actual proof, only heresay. He claims that they were doing it for the glory and financial rewards. Anyone I have spoken to all maintain that he was guilty, but he has been acquitted by a Jury, and so that is that. He says now he can't wait to get back to work.

Personally I think his appearance at Preston Crown Court should be his Swan Song, and at 81 years of age, he should exit stage left.

[boris1gary]

emb. i won't miss that Tory Toady, hope he doesn't return to Corro.

[i-need-a-martini]

Or maybe he is innocent?

I find it hard to believe they were unable to convict him given that there were 5 (?) women making allegations. Not to have proof from one is understandable but to not make it stick for 5 women sounds odd to me. Particularly how seriously the authorities have been taking all the recent cases.

And to blame the experience of the barristers makes no sense. The holes in the womens memories/chain of events/circumstances were so vast that even a local hick lawyer would have won the case for Roach.

His comments about 'hysteria' are interesting. The Halifax Slasher springs to mind. 

[i-need-a-martini]

The individuals in question were so young at the time, that their memories of the occasions were clouded. That was their downfall. 

They were 15 and 16. Not that young that they wouldn't remember details.

One girl couldn't remember if she was 14 or 15 at the time. Then she says he did it again a year later. Again she can't remember. Seroiusly? You wouldn't remember a rape?

Another girl said it had occurred when she was 15 (Ithink) and recalls that another actor on set thad warned her to stay away from Roach before the rape occurred. Yet that actor didn't start on the show until 5 years later. How does she get that wrong.

Others contacted newspaper with the allegations before contacting the police. Why would you do that? Particulary given that the name of the policemen and the police unit involved in the Saville case were so highly publicised. Wouldn't they be the first place you would go?

One pulled out of th trial half way through because she admitted she couldn't remember the rape actually taking place and had no memory of the incident.