Four women have levied accusations of rape and sexual assault against well-known comedian and actor, Russell Brand, in a collaborated investigation undertaken by the Sunday Times, the Times, and Channel 4’s Dispatches. Added to these charges, he’s also alleged to have engaged in inappropriate behaviour at work during the peak of his fame, insinuated by undressing, sexually charged remarks, and aggressive conduct. Brand refutes all accusations.
Since the emergence of the story, questions have been raised regarding the women’s decision to share their stories with the media instead of law enforcement. Rosamund Urwin of the Sunday Times, who was instrumental to the investigation, commented that although not the easiest decision, resorting to media becomes the more comfortable choice for some victims. None of the victims involved in the investigation reported these allegations at the time they occurred.
Urwin underlines that this is not an isolated instance and there exist countless stories about women’s lack of faith in the criminal justice system for prosecuting their cases.
Further, it’s been highlighted that none of these women were compensated for their interviews.
One of the accusers, dubbed “Nadia” for this report, sought treatment at a rape crisis centre on the day of the alleged assault in 2012. Her visit was confirmed through her medical records. According to these documents, an LAPD officer was informed by the centre, but “Nadia” chose not to report, doubting her words would make a difference against his.
The chair of the Commons’ Women and Equalities Committee, Caroline Nokes, underscores the intense scrutiny and cultural bias women reporting serious sexual assaults often endure. She criticises victim blaming and shaming and highlights its discouraging impact on vulnerable victims. She asserts a need to encourage and empower women to report crimes, especially in the current environment where the Metropolitan Police are under scrutiny due to high-profile rape cases by on-duty officers and a critical review revealing gross failure to protect women and children.
Victim Support’s national sexual violence lead, Michaela-Clare Addison, explains the reluctance many victims wrestle with regarding police interaction post-trauma. The forensic and personal scrutiny can often feel like an investigation into the victim. British screenwriter Daisy Goodwin admits turning to the media for this very reason, feeling there was no other recourse available.
Freelance or self-employed workers in the entertainment industry often face a similar dilemma, fearing the loss of support from established production companies and artists. In such cases, reaching out to journalists may seem like a last resort.
The low rape conviction rate casts an additional shadow. Of the 70,633 instances reported to police in the year to September 2022, a mere 1.6% led to someone being charged, and of those, only some were convicted.
In light of the Russell Brand allegations, some victims, such as “Alice,” feel compelled to speak up to advocate protection of potential victims. Emotional discussions and discourse are necessary for affecting change, and high-profile cases can often be the catalyst for victims to disclose their experiences, or encourage changes in legislation and cultural norms.
However, making public sexual assault allegations brings its own challenges, with online criticism and scrutiny potentially devastating for the victims. The primary focus, therefore, should be the care of those affected and those who might have faced similar experiences.
