Update: Argento’s attorney, Mark Heller, has released a full, lengthy statement in which he says his client is propelling society toward the second phase of the #MeToo movement. The statement accuses Bennett of sexual assault, but states that Argento has no intent to prosecute him. It also calls for the public to hear accusations from all people, regardless of their imperfect or misunderstood pasts. At the same time, the statement brings up past allegations against Bennett from 2014.

Meanwhile, TMZ reports that after Argento’s accusations of sexual assault, Bennett has chosen to file a police report with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, alleging sexual assault. Bennett had been ambivalent about whether to cooperate with authorities, TMZ reports, but has now decided to file the report and cooperate with the subsequent investigation.

“In the past victims of sexual abuse were deterred from coming forward because of their fear that the defense strategies would be to attack the victim’s credibility by drudging up any gray areas of their past and thereby besmirching their reputation,” Heller wrote in his statement. “Asia believes that all victims, whether or not they have led a blemish-less life, should have the courage to come forward and not be afraid that the abuse that they are complaining of will be colored by any negative dynamics in their history. In the absence of this, many sexual perpetrators would avoid prosecution because their victims would be afraid to come forward. . . . This is Phase Two of the #MeToo movement. A victim who has some negative history should have the courage to come forward and say ‘me too, I was a victim of sexual assault’ and whatever might color my past does not negate the truth of what happened to me.”

“Frequently, in the Court of Public Opinion, the Media conveys many incomplete and sometimes inaccurate facts that impact the Public’s opinion and this sometimes results in an unfair impression of the victim and an inaccurate presentation of the facts as they actually happened,” the statement continues. “In Asia’s circumstance, although it was alleged in the August 20, 2018 New York Times article that she had initiated a sexual attack on Bennett, Asia at no time initiated a sexual encounter with Bennet [sic] and in fact as she stated in her response to the New York Times article, concerning their past history, ‘I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennet [sic]’ — This is completely accurate. Her relationship with Bennett was never sexual, but rather the relationship was a long distance friendship over many years.”

The statement later adds, “It is also very relevant and most ironic to point out that Bennett himself was alleged to have been charged in 2014 at the Los Angeles Police Department with ‘unlawful sex with a minor,’ ‘stalking’ and ‘child pornography’ and ‘child exploitation’ and it was alleged by the complaint in that matter that Bennett manipulated her ‘into sending him naked photos…’ and it was alleged by that complainant that Bennett had a history of drug use. Interestingly enough, despite this crazy tangled web of sexual interactions, Asia believes that pursuant to Phase Two of the #metoo movement Bennett’s troubled history, be it true or false, should not preclude Bennett from making his allegations against her, any more than Asia’s allegations against Harvey Weinstein should not be made.”

“When the true facts are clarified, we know Asia will return to her International prominence as an award winning and acclaimed Actress, musician and Director,” the statement concludes. “She will continue to work on behalf of the silenced, maligned and slighted victims who are afraid to speak out in the face of consequence. Her truth will promote and support both Phase One and Phase Two of the #metoo movement.”