In a harrowing courtroom testimony, former model Kaja Sokola recounted her traumatic encounter with Harvey Weinstein that took place over two decades ago, leaving the jury and everyone present in shock.

Sokola, who had just moved to New York City from Poland with dreams of stardom, met the notorious 50-year-old producer while out one night in 2002. What began as an opportunity to discuss her aspirations quickly turned into a nightmare.

Recalling the incident in vivid detail, Sokola described how Weinstein lured her to his SoHo apartment under the pretext of a casual lunch. Instead of a meal, she was subjected to a horrific assault in his bathroom, where he forced her to perform sexual acts at just 16 years old.

With emotions boiling over, Sokola shared her story in court, breaking down as she remembered the controlling grip Weinstein had on her life. Despite the insurmountable weight of her experience, she detailed how Weinstein continued to abuse her multiple times in subsequent years.

Although the initial assault is outside the bounds of criminal prosecution due to the time elapsed, the case against Weinstein currently involves another incident four years later. In 2006, while Sokola was working with her sister, Weinstein reportedly assaulted her again after luring her to a hotel room.

This testimony is part of Weinstein's retrial, stemming from accusations made by multiple women. He is charged with a first-degree criminal sexual act against Sokola, alongside alleged victims Jessica Mann and Miriam Haley, who have also come forward with their harrowing accounts.

Despite his prior conviction for sex crimes in New York in 2020—where he was sentenced to 23 years—Weinstein's legal battles continue. His conviction was overturned last year due to procedural errors regarding witness testimonies. He has denied all allegations, claiming that his interactions were consensual.

In a reflective moment, Sokola recalled how empowerment can sometimes backfire; after Weinstein had ostensibly helped her with a minor acting gig, she believed he could genuinely support her career. Yet, the following assault shattered that illusion, with her describing the encounter in painful detail. "My soul was removed from me," she told the court, encapsulating the horror of her experience.

Sokola expressed profound regret about that day, admitting she never told her sister or anyone else about the assault for years, internalizing the trauma and battling feelings of guilt about her choices.

The ordeal didn't end there; after the incident, she received birthday gifts from Weinstein, which only served as a painful reminder of her experience. Testifying years later, she expressed how differently she would handle the situation now compared to when she was just 19.

In 2019, Sokola took a stand by filing a lawsuit against Weinstein and associated film companies under New York's Child Victims Act, which allows survivors to seek justice regardless of when the abuse occurred. That lawsuit ultimately settled for $3 million, but for Sokola, the fight for recognition and closure continued, shedding light on the dark truths of power and exploitation in the entertainment industry.