*The following article contains discussion of sexual assault.
In 2017 - amidst the rise of the #metoo movement - actor Anthony Rapp disclosed to Buzzfeed News a shocking incident that occurred in 1986, when Rapp was 14 years old.
According to Rapp, fellow actor Kevin Spacey, who was 26 at the time, climbed on top of him and made sexual advances.
Rapp alleged in the interview that at the end of a night following a party, Spacey "picked him up, placed him on his bed, and climbed on top of him" where he attempted sexual advances before Rapp could get away.
Rapp sued Spacey for assault, battery, and intentionally inflicting emotional distress.
The case was eventually reduced to the charge of sexual battery, as the judge was convinced by Spacey's team to drop the other two charges.
On Friday, the jury sided with Spacey, finding no evidence that he sexually abused Rapp in 1986.
Upon the delivery of the verdict, Rapp took to Twitter to share a powerful, heartfelt post that read:
"I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have my case heard before a jury, and I thank the members of the jury for their service."
"Bringing this lawsuit was always about shining a light, as part of the larger movement to stand up against all forms of sexual violence."
"I pledge to keep on advocating for efforts to ensure that we can live and work in a world that is free from sexual violence of any kind. I sincerely hope that victims can continue to tell their stories and fight for accountability."
Tweets of support came flooding in.
Spacey's lawyer made a statement following the delivery of the verdict:
"Mr. Spacey is grateful to live in a country where the citizens have a right to trial by impartial jurors who make their decision based on evidence and not rumor or social media."
In August, Spacey was ordered to pay House of Cards producers $31 million to cover losses they incurred firing the actor after he breached his contract by violating the company's sexual harassment policy.
If you or someone you know experienced sexual assault, help is out there. You can reach the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline by calling 1-800-656-4673, use their Live Chat tool: https://www.rainn.org/get-help, or visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s website.
In Canada, help is available through the Ending Violence Association of Canada website.
International resources can be found through the Rape Crisis Network Europe website.
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