More than a few jaws dropped when the New York Times broke the story about Asia Argento’s own history of sexual assault against a young man. One of her co-leaders in the #MeToo movement, Rose McGowan, wants us to ‘be gentle’ with her. Folks, the hypocrisy and double standard she displays is quite something.

The New York Times story is quite detailed and it certainly isn’t something that should be glossed over.

The Italian actress and director Asia Argento was among the first women in the movie business to publicly accuse the producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault. She became a leading figure in the #MeToo movement. Her boyfriend, the culinary television star Anthony Bourdain, eagerly joined the fight.

But in the months that followed her revelations about Mr. Weinstein last October, Ms. Argento quietly arranged to pay $380,000 to her own accuser: Jimmy Bennett, a young actor and rock musician who said she had sexually assaulted him in a California hotel room years earlier, when he was only two months past his 17th birthday. She was 37. The age of consent in California is 18.

That claim and the subsequent arrangement for payments are laid out in documents between lawyers for Ms. Argento and Mr. Bennett, a former child actor who once played her son in a movie.

Her bold speech at Cannes this summer sent waves through the industry.

But now this story has come out. It casts an unflattering light on Argento, and it creates doubt regarding her credibility. So what does Rose McGowan do?

I got to know Asia Argento ten months ago. Our commonality is the shared pain of being assaulted by Harvey Weinstein. My heart is broken. I will continue my work on behalf of victims everywhere.

— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) August 20, 2018

I would be shocked and heartbroken as well. When you find out your close friend in this #MeToo fight has feet of clay…

However, this follow up tweet of Rose’s…

None of us know the truth of the situation and I’m sure more will be revealed. Be gentle.

— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) August 20, 2018

Oh. Ok. We should hang back and wait to see what other truths come out regarding all this. She is correct in that. Evidence matters. Accusations only have merit if there is real actionable evidence to back it up.

However, by this one tweet, Rose set up a double standard. We are supposed to ‘be gentle’ regarding the accusations against Argento, yet that isn’t what Rose has said about others in the past.

Sexual Harrassment/Assault is EPIDEMIC WORLDWIDE. Every 98 secs someone is sexually assaulted in USA, majority are women. BELIEVE US https://t.co/sV8bjnhCGQ

— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 20, 2017

Rose, this is one of the most messed up things you could have tweeted right now. If it were a man being accused, you would be on the warpath. But because it’s a woman and it’s your friend, you’re throwing out MAJOR double-standards. That’s incredibly toxic to this movement.

— Samantha Acampora (@littlesammi) August 20, 2018

Rose, you are the first to crucify men accused of sexual assault. I support the #MeToo movement AND your tweet is disingenuous. Just because she’s your friend? Please!

— L Guevara (@loriguevara) August 20, 2018

I agree we should accord everyone due process & proceed with care. So will you revise your previous counsel? ht/ @LorenaRiro pic.twitter.com/cM5gcK5yjh

— Christina Sommers (@CHSommers) August 20, 2018

Rules according to Rose McGowan: If a MAN is accused: Follow Tweet 1. If WOMAN accused: Tweet 2. Sorry, but such double standards discredit #Metoo The answer to male privilege is not female privilege. The answer is basic fairness for all. pic.twitter.com/T7mKNkGci4

— Christina Sommers (@CHSommers) August 20, 2018

Christina is correct. There shouldn’t be a double standard regarding this. Period.

Don’t get me wrong, Argento was definitely a victim of Harvey Weinstein, but she can also be an abuser.

The Asia Argento/Jimmy Bennett is terribly sad. Asia can be & likely is both an abuser and a victim. It's a common pattern. We can both believe folks who come forward as victims, understand them as flawed people and (this part is important) not put them on unnecessary pedestals.

— Juan Salvo (@j_salvo) August 20, 2018

Yes, and Rosanna Arquette is correct here.

I know many many rape and trauma survivors who act out sexually The wounds they carry run deep. I pray for them. the timing of this story is suspect. Asia was still raped by Harvey Weinstein.

— Rosanna Arquette (@RoArquette) August 20, 2018

Very true, and the wounds they carry are long-lasting. Is the timing of the story suspect? It could be.

Keep in mind that Bennett and Argento stayed in touch for quite some time after the alleged attack took place. Also keep in mind that he has had to sue his parents for money he alleges they stole. Do those factors mean Argento is innocent? Not necessarily.

What does matter is this. If one starts a movement that calls out rapists and abusers, then that movement should have the exact same standards regarding all rapists and abusers – no matter who they are.