Rose McGowan has finally broken her silence in regards to the sexual assault scandal surrounding her friend, Asia Argento. She even hints that her partner was the one who turned Asia into authorities.
Like Asia, Rose was one of the first Harvey Weinstein rape accusers. Last week, it was reported that Asia paid $380,000 to settle a sexual assault case from 2013 — Asia, though, claimed her late boyfriend Anthony Bourdain paid off the victim, not her.
Actor Jimmy Bennett, the victim, was 17 at the time of the alleged incident, which allegedly occurred in a Los Angeles area hotel.
"I would first of all like to start off this statement saying thank you for your patience. A lot of people have been demanding answers and a response to the recent events surrounding Asia Argento's sexual assault case," Rose said in statement released on Monday. "Many people believe that because we have been close in each other's lives over the past year that perhaps I am affiliated with this incident or being complicit. I am not."
Rose went on to acknowledge that they have bonded recently and even got matching tattoos.
"Asia was a person who understood my trauma in a way that many others didn't. We were able to talk through them together and champion each other's voices," Rose said.
Asia and Rose have both been very outspoken about women's empowerment and the #MeToo movement.
Rose detailed that she found out about the alleged incident via her partner, Rain Dove, who had received messages about the incident from Asia herself.
"Rain Dove said that they were going to go to the police with these texts once we were done speaking no matter what. But that they wanted me to be aware of them so that I may be able to take further actions," Rose said. "I responded with 'You have to. You must.' I wasted no time. It wasn't hard to say or support. What was hard was the shell shock of the realization that everything the MeToo movement stood for was about to be in jeopardy. An hour after our conversation was finished Rain Dove confirmed that they had turned over the texts and were in conversation with officers. Almost 48 hours later the texts were in the press."
She later said, "I've referred to Asia in the past as 'My Ride or Die' and said very clearly that their friendship comes first. I know that coming to me with those messages must have been hard for Rain because of that so I commend them for their bravery."
Rose makes is clear that "there absolutely should be no leeway or tolerance for sexual assault. Hard stop. NONE. Victims also shouldn't be told how they should react or what they should say about their abusers. However as allies to the victim and voyeurs of an event we should find a better way to balance support of the victim with due process for the accused. I've never claimed to be perfect. This week especially has made me come to terms with the fact that we all have a lot of growing to do, including myself."
She ended her statement with a direct message to Asia.
"Asia you were my friend. I loved you. You've spent and risked a lot to stand with the MeToo movement," she said. "I really hope you find your way through this process to rehabilitation and betterment. Anyone can be be better- I hope you can be, too. Do the right thing. Be honest. Be fair. Let justice stay its course. Be the person you wish Harvey could have been."