Experts reveal how twisted serial attackers think
often leads others to turn a blind eye, thereby enabling their conduct and impunity.
“If they’re part of an institution that tends to overlook (their abuse), they feel supported. They think, ‘Since no one on the movie set said anything about it, it must be OK.’ There’s a normalization,” Dr. Bursztajn said.
Weinstein, 65, now stands accused of sexual harassment by dozens of women — and of sexual assault or rape by a growing list that includes actresses Rose McGowan, Annabella Sciorra, Paz de la Huerta, Asia Argento, Lysette Anthony, Dominique Huett and Natassia Malthe.
NYPD officials said Friday they have a strong case against Weinstein involving rape allegations waged by de la Huerta. She told police Weinstein raped her twice in her apartment in 2010.
“We have an actual case,” Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said.
Weinstein has denied forcing nonconsensual sex on anyone. In addition to the NYPD probe, he is under criminal investigation in London, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.
Cosby, 80, stood trial for aggravated sexual assault over the summer.
Prosecutors allege he drugged and sexually assaulted Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia mansion in 2004. Jurors failed to reach a verdict, and he’s expected to face a second trial next year.
Retired FBI profiler Dr. Mary Ellen O’Toole said another factor behind the long careers of some high-profile predators is something she’s dubbed “icon intimidation.”
She said when admired, iconic people such as celebrities, priests and coaches prey on vulnerable people, their victims often second-guess whether any abuse actually took place at all or whether anyone would believe them if they reported it.
“Victims are often stunned that someone like a Catholic priest would abuse them. They begin to question themselves, ‘Was it something I did?’ ” she said.
Meanwhile, “with serial offenders, the more they do it, the more they learn how to do it better,” she said
She said luring victims to hotel rooms under false pretenses, offering them social beverages and following up with them afterward become powerful tactics in the hands of a practiced predator.
“You surround yourself with normal, gracious, socially acceptable behavior, then boom, you insert the criminal behavior, and it takes the victim off guard,” she said. “Then later, when the victim considers reporting, there are levels of, ‘Well, you kind of went along with it.’ ”
Bernard said she experienced icon intimidation firsthand with Cosby.
“He was my mentor. He wasn’t just America’s Dad, he was a personal father figure to me,” she said.
She recalled confronting Cosby over his alleged abuse leading up to her guest role on “The Cosby Show” and his alleged threat to “erase” her if she went to police.
“He was so powerful, with his façade of phony wholesomeness and philanthropy. I knew I’d be going up against an iconic, revered, respected figure. Who’s going to believe you?” she asked. “I was also an actor and wanted to continue to act.”
Bernard said she’s detected a more hospitable environment lately for the victims speaking up against Weinstein and others, and she hopes it continues.
She also hopes more witnesses and bystanders find the courage to step forward and help stop the cycles of abuse.
“Men need to speak out too,” she said. “It can’t be just women speaking up. Bystanders could play a really important role to shift this whole rape culture.”