Dylan Farrow accuses Woody Allen of assault

Famed director Woody Allen is once again facing accusations of sexual misconduct. This time, it’s Dylan Farrow, the adopted daughter of Allen and Mia Farrow. Speaking on CBS This Morning, Farrow recounted an incident that, she claims, happened in her home back in 1992 when she was only seven years old.

Farrow claimed Allen “molested” her, and blamed actors in his films for being “complicit” because they didn’t speak out against him. When asked why she was speaking out now, Farrow said she was inspired by the MeToo movement.

“With so much silence being broken by so many brave people against so many high-profile people, I felt it was important to add my story to theirs because it’s something I’ve struggled with for a long time… It was very momentous for me to see this conversation finally carried into a public setting.”

Farrow said she and Allen were alone. She was playing with a toy and he, “…sat behind me in the doorway… I was sexually assaulted…”

There was an investigation at the time, and Allen was not charged. Then, as now, he adamantly denies anything inappropriate with Farrow. Speaking to the press after these most recent allegations, Allen said: “The Farrow family is cynically using the opportunity afforded by the Time’s Up movement to repeat this discredited allegation… I never molested my daughter — as all investigations concluded a quarter of a century ago…”

Investigators bolster Allen’s account of events, saying they believe Dylan either “invented the story or it was planted in her mind by her mother…” But not everyone agreed. Connecticut state attorney Frank Maco thought there was probable cause to charge Allen, but authorities decided against prosecution to avoid traumatizing Dylan. Allen’s version of events is also lent support by testimony from Dylan’s brother, Moses, who testified that his mother coached Dylan. Allen says he believes Dylan really believes it happened, and that is the worst tragedy of all. On Dylan’s side is her younger brother, Ronan, who came to fame most recently for penning several stories about accused and blackballed former producer, Harvey Weinstein.

It’s not likely that a he said-she said from two decades ago will sway public opinion one way or another about Allen. This is not the first time his proclivities have come under fire in the press, and many people will have already formed an opinion. However, that’s not to say he should not defend himself. If innocent, Allen should never stop saying so.