Cashman: Public now taking heed as victims’ voices get heard

Comedian Louis C.K. yesterday came clean about allegations that he had repeatedly engaged in sexual misconduct, including masturbating in front of women.

“These stories are true,” he said in a lengthy statement.

Just two months ago, amid long-swirling buzz about his behavior, the comic had dismissed such claims, telling The New York Times, “they’re rumors, that’s all that is.”

So what changed? The power of the victim’s voice changed.

For the first time, perhaps in our lifetime, women’s stories are believed.

And why? We can thank Harvey Weinstein.

What he did for decades to women is unforgivable and likely criminal but it carried a bright, unmistakable silver lining: Women’s stories finally matter.

The revelations about Weinstein’s behavior spurred women from all walks of life — from Hollywood to Main Street — to tell their stories through the “Me Too” movement.

These women can’t be bought.

Powerful men can’t simply lawyer up and write a big check to shut them up.

The networks, studios and corporations used to believe these men were worth so much to their bottom line that they had to be protected. That is changing.

We are no longer putting a price tag on protecting pigs.

Reporters are also no longer shrugging off these stories, no longer buying the ugly insinuation that young rising stars are trying to make a name for themselves by taking down rich men.

For decades, guys in Hollywood took advantage of young starlets, knowing that no one would believe them if they came forward. They were capitalizing off their celebrity in the most disturbing way.

And women weren’t the only victims, as we’ve learned in the case of Kevin Spacey.

Louis C.K., to his credit, yesterday acknowledged the nasty power imbalance that has long led to abuse.

“I also took advantage of the fact that I was widely admired in my and their community, which disabled them from sharing their story and brought hardship to them when they tried because people who look up to me didn’t want to hear it,” he said in his open letter, referencing the young comedians he mistreated.