That’s just one of the many reasons that I’m gratified by this settlement and saddened by the misunderstanding and criticism to which it’s been subjected. One such misconception is that the settlement somehow pays for Weinstein’s defense costs. That is not true, as Weinstein and the other defendants already had insurance to cover their legal costs.

Some lawyers also claim that the class action group is pressuring women who want to sue individually to join the class. This is absolutely not true. The women who elected to bring individual claims outside the class action and women who were assaulted during the time he was at Miramax have the opportunity to opt out of the settlement and pursue their own claims.

It has been a difficult, long road to reach this settlement, and I have felt many things over that time: heartbroken, enraged, hopeless, defeated and often as powerless as I felt when I was assaulted. There were times when I wanted to give up, and I will never fully comprehend why achieving a measure of justice and relief for the many women whom Weinstein harmed over 30-plus years has been so difficult and so hard won.