Harvey Weinstein victim Mimi Haleyi calls conviction ‘huge relief’: ‘It feels like we’re making progress’

‘I just think that we’re being educated about the reality of sexual assault,’ says Haleyi

A woman whom Harvey Weinstein was convicted of sexually assaulting says the verdict has been a “huge relief” for her.

Mimi Haleyi spoke on CBS This Morning on Tuesday, the day after Weinstein was found guilty of sexually assaulting the production assistant in 2006 by forcibly performing oral sex on her, and of third-degree rape on another woman.

Haleyi, who took the stand in the New York City trial, said she feels grateful to have been “heard and believed”.

“It was just a huge relief that the jury got it,” Haleyi said. “I felt just very grateful that I’d been heard and believed.”

She said she was uncertain what the outcome of the trial would be ahead of the verdict.

“I just think that we’re being educated about the reality of sexual assault and sexual assault victims and what sexual assaults, more often than not, involve,” Haleyi added.

“It’s not always just a stranger. It’s very often somebody that the person knows, and with that comes an entire other layer of processing.”

Weinstein faces a possible sentence of five to 29 years. He was acquitted of first-degree rape and two counts of predatory sexual assault.

Attorneys for Weinstein, who has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex, said they would appeal.

Weinstein was taken to Manhattan’s Bellevue Hospital shortly after the verdict on Monday. According to his legal team, he was suffering from chest pains, high blood pressure and heart palpitations.

He was on his way to Rikers Island, where his lawyers requested he be held at an infirmary. Weinstein is expected to be transferred there once his health improves.

Additional reporting by agencies