High-Profile Sexual Misconduct Allegations Hit Massachusetts, Too

WALTHAM, MA — The list of high-profile men accused of sexual misconduct is growing across the country in the wake of the Harvey Weinsten allegations. Now people are speaking up against Hollywood-sized sexual harassment cases with Massachusetts ties.

Aly Raisman, the Needham native and Olympic gold medalist, for the first time alleges that former U.S. team doctor Larry Nassar sexually abused her in a 60 Minutes interview; Comedian and Newton-bred Louis C.K. admitted sexual misconduct after five women were cited in a New York Times report describing lewd behavior; Tom Wopat who played Luke Duke on the '80s TV show "Dukes Of Hazzard," came to Waltham Friday to face charges of sexual indecent assault against an area teen; And a former anchorwoman Thursday accused Kevin Spacey of inappropriately touching her teenage son on Nantucket.

As difficult as it is to hear the stories, this is an important development, say gender studies experts and observers. Awareness is the first step to culture change, and the number of people who have come forward has shined a spotlight on a problem that appears to be a pervasive part of culture.

Amrita Basu, the chair of Amherst College's Sexuality, Women's and Gender Studies Department, said the allegations against Harvey Weinstein has opened the floodgates, allowing others to come forward and share their own stories.

"As more women gain the confidence, it's just taken off, particularly the #MeToo campaign," she said.

Observers don't expect the floodgates closing any time soon. In fact, look for a more diverse group to step forward as norms surrounding the treatment and cover up on the spectrum of sexual harassment and abuse become broken down, they say.

Gymnast Aly Raisman Accuses U.S. Team Doctor Of Sexual Abuse

Raisman, 23, was 15 when she was first treated by Nassar, who worked with athletes at USA Gymnastics for 30 years. He is now in jail in Michigan awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography, and he'll be tried on separate criminal sexual conduct charges. Nassar has been sued by more than 100 women alleging abuse, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Read more.

'Dukes of Hazzard' Star In Court Over Indecent Assault Allegations

In September, an underage teen came forward and told police that Wopat allegedly hit the girl's rear with his script, saying "nice butt," and made her feel uncomfortable. A court document also shows he also allegedly hung out near the girls' dressing room and attempted to go in. (See more on the court documents here: "I'm a creepy old man, you're really talented and really cute," he told the girl).

He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Friday at the Waltham District Court on the new charges: one count of indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14 and two counts of accosting and annoying a person of the opposite sex.

Kevin Spacey Accused of Sexual Assault on Nantucket

On Wednesday, a former news anchor came forward and accused Spacey of sexually assaulting her teen son on Nantucket last summer. It was the most recent accusation to come against the Hollywood star, who issued a public apology to actor Anthony Rapp after the latter accused Spacey of attempting to molest him in 1986 when Rapp was just 14.

Read: Kevin Spacey's Brother Describes Abuse-Filled Childhood

Louis C.K. On Sexual Misconduct Allegations: 'Those Stories Are True'

Meanwhile, Louis C.K. on Friday admitted the New York Times report of five women who accused him of sexual misconduct were true, after allegedly denying rumors to friends in the past. The Newton-bred comedian apologized to the victims and to those who were affected by his actions.

"These stories are true. At the time, I said to myself that what I did was okay because I never showed a woman my d--- without asking first, which is also true," he said in a public statement. "But what I learned later in life, too late, is that when you have power over another person, asking them to look at your d--- isn't a question. It's a predicament for them. The power I had over these women is that they admired me. And I wielded that power irresponsibly."

Recently in Boston: City Official Felix Arroyo Fired After Woman Claimed He Spanked Her

Kevin Spacey photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File; Louis C.K. photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File; Tom Wopat photo; WCVB-TV via AP, Pool