In a significant testimony during Harvey Weinstein's #MeToo retrial, former model Kaja Sokola emotionally recounted her experience of sexual assault when she was just 16 years old. Sitting before the jury, Sokola labeled the incident as the most "horrifying thing I ever experienced" up to that point in her life. She described how, in a Manhattan apartment in 2002, Weinstein put his hand inside her underwear and forced her to touch his genitals.

Sokola vividly testified about the fear she felt as Weinstein's "black and scary" eyes stared at her through a bathroom mirror during the assault. Following the incident, Sokola stated that Weinstein warned her to remain silent about what had occurred, asserting that he had significantly influenced the careers of top actresses like Gwyneth Paltrow and Penélope Cruz and that he could assist her in achieving her acting aspirations.

At the time of the events, Sokola reported that she felt shame and embarrassment, thinking it was her fault for finding herself in such a predicament. It is important to note that Weinstein is not charged with any crime related to this particular instance of assault, as Sokola's claims fell outside the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution. Instead, Sokola's testimony forms part of the current trial, where Weinstein is accused of forcibly performing oral sex on her at a Manhattan hotel around her 20th birthday, after he had arranged for her to be an extra in the film "The Nanny Diaries."

Sokola first came forward with her allegations during Weinstein's initial trial in 2020 but was not included in that case. Her testimony has now been integrated into the retrial following the overturning of Weinstein's conviction last year. Throughout her testimony, Weinstein, now 73 years old, displayed a visible attempt to avoid confrontation, looking down and shielding his face with his fingers as Sokola recounted her trauma.

Recalling her first encounter with Weinstein, Sokola explained that they met at a Manhattan restaurant in 2002, shortly before the alleged assault. During what seemed to be a brief discussion about her aspirations in acting, Weinstein expressed interest in her career. A few days later, he invited her to lunch under the guise of discussing acting, which ultimately led her to his apartment, where the assault occurred.

Sokola described the assault in detail, recalling her panic and reluctance when Weinstein instructed her to remove her clothing. He used manipulative language, suggesting that such actions were necessary for aspiring actresses and insisted that she should get used to taking her clothes off if directed by influential figures in the film industry, leaving her terrified and powerless.

As she continued to testify, Sokola highlighted her background, detailing her journey from Poland, her career as a model, and her subsequent profession as a psychotherapist and author. She has also recently ventured into film production. At times, she avoided looking directly at Weinstein, only glancing at him when asked to identify him in the courtroom.

Weinstein has pled not guilty to all allegations and maintains that he did not sexually assault anyone. His legal team argues that the encounters with his accusers were consensual, emphasizing that the women continued to communicate with him after the alleged assaults. Conversely, the women argue that Weinstein exploited their career ambitions to manipulate and assault them.

Sokola initially filed a lawsuit against Weinstein following the widespread allegations about his misconduct, which gained momentum during the #MeToo movement that erupted in 2017. Prosecutors later revealed that she received a settlement of $3.5 million in compensation. Following Weinstein's conviction, Sokola's case was revisited, leading to renewed investigations after New York's highest court overturned his previous conviction, bringing her testimony back into the spotlight.

Despite attempts by Weinstein's lawyers to keep Sokola's testimony out of the retrial, arguing it was an attempt to bolster the credibility of other accusers, her presence in court has added to the growing narrative against the disgraced producer. Other accusers, including Miriam Haley, who testified that Weinstein forced oral sex on her in 2006, and Jessica Mann, who is expected to testify later, form part of this ongoing retrial that seeks justice for the numerous alleged victims of Weinstein's actions.