The same tired argument always arises when women report sexual harassment or assault against powerful men: why didn't they say anything sooner?

The answer usually boils down to fear. When an influential film mogul makes sexual advances towards you and you reject him, as a young woman and aspiring actress, you're putting your career at stake. In industries such as film where sexual harassment is often normalized, men like Harvey Weinstein thrive because their misconduct is obscured by executives and assistants. But when some 29 women come forward detailing their accounts of sexual harassment and abuse by Weinstein, we clearly must change the systems in place which allow these stories to become normalized.

Since several A-listers have shared their disturbing experiences with Weinstein, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, and Ashley Judd, the director has received some harsh (and deserved) backlash. These women have disclosed similar experiences in which Weinstein asked them to come to a hotel for a seemingly professional meeting, only for him to answer the door naked or in a robe and proceed to initiate non-consensual sexual acts. This article by the Times explains several of these women's stories in depth, describing the ways in which Weinstein manipulated, took advantage of, and cajoled them — implicitly or explicitly offering movie roles in return. Three of the women who came forward told the New Yorker they were raped by Weinstein.

In light of all of this, Weinstein has been fired from the Weinstein Company, which plans to change its name, and four members of the all-male board have resigned. His wife, designer Georgina Chapman, announced her plans to divorce Weinstein stating, "My heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions. I have chosen to leave my husband. Caring for my young children is my first priority and I ask the media for privacy at this time." It would seem that Weinstein has gotten what was coming to him, but this is hardly the end of this conversation.

As former Vice President Joe Biden explained in his powerful speech on sexual assault at Rutgers University this past Thursday, "It is long past time for the powerful men in Hollywood to speak up." "Silence is complicity," he added. According to nj.com, Biden said he hopes some of the statutes of limitations have not run out on the alleged sexual assault cases, so Weinstein — one of Biden's former political donors — can be prosecuted. In today's call-out culture, everyone from politicians to Instagram stars are responsible for pointing out the behaviors which allow rape culture to persist. It is so wildly important that we stand with the women who are affected by such behaviors, rather than interrogating them about why they didn't report it sooner.

It's also important to remember that just because someone's political values align with yours does not make them a good person or mean they stand for everything you stand for. Many Democrats, including Biden, Obama, and Hillary Clinton, probably expected better from Weinstein after years of avid support for politicians who are passionate about advancing women's rights. Political affiliation, however, does not measure how much you respect women as your equals. Weinstein's lengthy career of abusing women speaks volumes about how powerful men will present themselves one way publicly and act totally differently behind closed doors.

Ironically enough, before these allegations became known, Weinstein donated $100,000 to Rutgers University the Gloria Steinem Chair in Media, Culture, and Feminist Studies. It's bizarre that a man so seemingly concerned with advancing feminist studies also happens to be a man concerned with intimidating young actresses into having sex with him.

Despite some criticism in the wake of the University of Southern California's rejection of a $5 million gift from Weinstein, Rutgers has decided to keep the donation. Devoting the $100,000 donation to advancing women's equality "is a better use of the dollars than returning the donation to Harvey Weinstein and the H. Weinstein Family Foundation," the university said in a statement.

I can't help but agree that the best way to use Weinstein's money is to educate students about equality and help more women find a path within the media industry. Returning the donation seems not only like a waste, but like a statement which could be better made through affecting change.

Unfortunately, it often seems like criminal charges are difficult to bring against men accused of sexual assault, especially when those men are rich, powerful, and have staffs of lawyers prepared to defend them. But even if Weinstein doesn't get jail time, it helps to say his name. It helps to let it be known that this kind of behavior if unacceptable, and women will not be tolerating it anymore for fear of losing our jobs or being shamed. That's right ladies, keep calling 'em out.