Following the sexual assault allegations against Harvey Weinstein [1], many celebrities are bravely coming forward about their own experiences, including James Van Der Beek. In a series of tweets on Thursday, the actor opened up about being groped by male executives [2] when he was younger.

For anyone judging the women who stayed silent, read this for perspective. Also for anyone brushing off harassment as "boys being boys." https://t.co/UX9xWxpn2K [3]

— James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) October 12, 2017 [4]

What Weinstein is being accused of is criminal. What he's admitted to is unacceptable - in any industry. I applaud everybody speaking out.

— James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) October 12, 2017 [5]

I've had my ass grabbed by older, powerful men, I've had them corner me in inappropriate sexual conversations when I was much younger...

— James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) October 12, 2017 [6]

I understand the unwarranted shame, powerlessness & inability to blow the whistle. There's a power dynamic that feels impossible to overcome

— James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) October 12, 2017 [7]

FTR, the harassment I tweeted about was by people 99.9% of you don't know. 2 were charged (by others) & punished. The other has since died.

— James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) October 12, 2017 [8]

So apologies to any mentors & champions and wonderful friends I've made in this industry who may have been pulled into wrongful speculation.

— James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) October 12, 2017 [9]

I realize I left a door open by not initially naming, but please don't impugn innocent people w/out cause. That's not fair. Or right.

— James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) October 12, 2017 [10]

His statement comes just a day after fellow actor Terry Crews decided to speak out about his own personal experience with sexual assault [11] in the hopes that his story would "deter a predator and encourage someone who feels hopeless."