Blake Lively is calling Justin Baldoni a hypocrite!
Why? Here’s the deal on the latest in the It Ends With Us lawsuit drama! The Gossip Girl alum previously claimed in legal documents that her former co-star’s “retaliatory defamation lawsuit” against her “is another example of ‘DARVO’ tactics (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) in the post- #MeToo era where perpetrators of ‘sexual violence,’ in particular sexual harassment, attempt to silence their victims into submission.” Therefore, she feels his lawsuit should be dismissed. The court documents continued:
“Perpetrators use defamation suits to deny their own liability, discredit survivors of sexual violence, and reverse the narrative to cast themselves as the real victims. This smear tactic comes at a real cost to victims who muster the enormous courage required to report their abusers in the first instance. If the use of DARVO tactics in defamation lawsuits is allowed to continue unchecked, embroiling victims in costly and drawn-out litigation proceedings that force them to relive their trauma, it will embolden perpetrators and contribute to a culture of silence. This will impact survivors from all socioeconomic backgrounds, including those with the least means to defend themselves as well as the most high-powered celebrities.”
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Blake was backed by several advocacy organizations, including the Equal Rights Advocates, California Employment Lawyers, and California Women’s Law Center. They submitted letters of support on May 27, stating the court should dismiss Justin’s lawsuit based on the California Assembly Bill 933, also known as the Me Too Bill or the Protecting Survivors from Weaponizing Defamation Lawsuits Act. The legislation essentially protects survivors of sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination from defamation lawsuits.
The groups argued Justin’s legal team is using the Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender technique to “recast Mr. Baldoni as the victim to undermine Ms. Lively’s credibility while also attempting to leverage the powerful tool of abusive discovery to further persecute her.” They say the bill would “allow the law to work as intended by providing early protection and relief for survivors who speak out about sexual harassment.” But if Blake’s motion to dismiss is denied, it could greatly impact others and “encourage abusers to use defamation suits to silence victims.”
Their concern is understandable! The decision could have detrimental effects on future victims! However, Justin does not want the briefs to be allowed in! He asked the court to deny these letters of support Blake received on May 29, claiming the briefs failed to “aid the court” during the “pleading stage.” If the court accepts the notes, his attorneys demand a chance to file a response.
All this brings us to Thursday when Blake fired back at Justin, claiming he is a hypocrite! A spokesperson for the 37-year-old actress told Us Weekly:
“19 leading survivors and organizations devoted to women’s rights, children’s rights and domestic violence have now signed onto four separate amicus briefs. All are united in opposing Justin Baldoni’s attempt to dismantle a law designed to protect women who speak up — simply to protect himself.”
The rep pointed out that the latest briefs, filed by Child USA and Sanctuary for Families, added to “the voices of renowned nonprofits, victim advocates, and experts from around the world who are dedicated to safeguarding the rights and well-being of people who speak up.” The statement then attacked Justin for not listening to women as preached in the past:
“Rather than defend his case on the facts, Baldoni is now contradicting years of his own public persona — abandoning the message of his #MeToo YouTube’s, podcasts, TED Talks, and interviews, where he once upon a time urged men ‘to listen to the women in your life … to hold their anguish and actually believe them, even if what they’re saying is against you.’ These women and organizations are sounding the alarm about his DARVO tactics, and the chilling effect they could have well beyond this case.”
Oof! Blake is determined to get her way!
What are your thoughts on her new statement, Perezcious readers? Sound OFF in the comments below!
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