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Joint investigation by C4 Dispatches and The Times about allegations made by women who have worked with Russell Brand

67 replies

IwantToRetire · 17/09/2023 00:20

NB - I know trigger warnings have a bad name, but in this instance should add that some may find descriptions in the report of sexual violence personnally disturbing.

Alice has decided to speak out because she now believes that she was too young to be able to consent to a relationship with an adult man, and that the law should be changed to protect those under 18. “My mum still feels like she failed me in some way in allowing this to happen, but she had no recourse at all,” she says. “It shouldn’t be legal for a 16-year-old to have a relationship with a man in their thirties. There should be something in place to protect children.”

She also wants the entertainment industry to change. For many years, Brand has been applauded for his jokes describing how he has manipulated women for sex.

“I think he was very skilful in the start of making his identity be, ‘I’m the womaniser. I’m a sex addict. I’m inappropriate but it’s all just a joke, it’s funny’,” Alice claims, “It’s a smokescreen for a lot more of his dark behaviour.”

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russell-brand-rape-sexual-assault-abuse-allegations-investigation-v5hxdlmb6 (*)

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/russell-brand-in-plain-sight-dispatches

The tv channels and theatres still behave as those male entertainers are entitled to have every one of their whims catered to, including expecting womrn to be sexually available. For them, Me Too and all the other exposes have not stopped them acting like pimps.

(*) The Times article has been archived at https://archive.ph - just paste the Times web link into the box provided.

Russell Brand accused of rape, sexual assaults and abuse

Four women, including one who was just 16, make allegations after an investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russell-brand-rape-sexual-assault-abuse-allegations-investigation-v5hxdlmb6

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PorcelinaV · 22/09/2023 03:28

Nice of an MP to help fuel the conspiracy theories by writing to Rumble.

Original poster
IwantToRetire · 22/09/2023 01:38

The case for raising the UK age of consent explained after Russell Brand accuser calls for change to law

Legal experts have questioned whether changing the age of consent so that so-called ‘Romeo and Juliet’ laws apply would have any effect on instances of grooming

https://inews.co.uk/news/uk-age-of-consent-case-raising-explained-russell-brand-alleged-victims-tougher-laws-2629504

Behind a paywall but you can read the article by going to https://archive.ph and pasting in the inews link above, into the box provided.

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Original poster
IwantToRetire · 19/09/2023 15:50

Isn't it remarkable that even women who would claim they are feminists always manage to find an excuse for men.

Now we have some daft comment about the Noughties - what a load of crap.

As all to often happens, more often after some men's death, you then hear reports about what a complete shit he was and an abuser of women. I remember after some leftie barrister died all sorts of stories came out.

So it doesn't matter what era it was or is, this is about the men themselves, and the patriarchal power structure that enables it.

I think the only difference about Brand was that he flaunted it in people's faces and the majority applauded him, which even if he wasn't actually a sexual predator sums up exactly how women have always been and are still seen as existing for men.

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ACatCalledPushka · 19/09/2023 15:48

WarriorN · 18/09/2023 20:45

Found a a few gems on Julie bindels feed earlier

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/oct/30/russell-brand-jonathan-ross

Wow that Tatchell article.

'This storm in a teacup...'

'cracked a blue gag at the expense of his grand-daughter, Georgina Baillie. That's all.' (on national radio).

What about the sometimes foul-mouthed rants by Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay? (yeah, right, so similar 🤦‍♀️).

'was perhaps a breach of her privacy' (you don't say).

'Yet she claims Brand's jokes have damaged her public image and hurt her feelings. Oh please!' (really want to throw something at monitor right now, [cat for your own safety, please move away] he just really doesn't like women, does he!)

WarriorN · 19/09/2023 15:12

Fwiw, the Brand stuff is way closer to Savile, than anything else I can think of

I agree. Which is why it's blown up. Would be surprised if police said to do this.

RealityFan · 19/09/2023 10:16

Fwiw, the Brand stuff is way closer to Savile, than anything else I can think of. Spacey happened thru the courts in the time honoured way.

But with Brand, his proclivities were on full display, and fully advertised for all to see. Hiding in plain sight, indeed.

Savile? Everyone around him knew what was going on, yet nothing was allowed to impede him.

With Brand, the whole media circus geared up to provide him fertile pickings. I remember that whole period of C4 barrier breaking and Big Brother wall to wall saturation media overload. I always hated (un)reality TV and it's dumbing down of everything.

But Brand could do no wrong, his Jesus/Charles Manson gruesome hybrid guru, sex addict knock off persona just bamboozled so many, I just had to switch over or switch off. Hated him, Big Brother and
C4 in so many ways.

Indeed before TRA invaded my everyday thoughts seven years ago, the previous daily mental chaos I endured was the Big Brother/Russell Brand coarsening and dumbing down of the media.

Of course, moan about it and you just weren't hip, he was the apex of our post modern drive to crashing barriers and burying prejudices.

First sign that all was not right in this new post modern euphoria? Jade Goody and her trial by media. Then, Caroline Flack. Now, Brand.

RealityFan · 19/09/2023 10:05

Loubelle70 · 19/09/2023 09:57

@RealityFan i haven't the energy to do this and its triggering. I have to decline a follow up comment.

Understood.

Loubelle70 · 19/09/2023 09:57

@RealityFan i haven't the energy to do this and its triggering. I have to decline a follow up comment.

RealityFan · 19/09/2023 09:37

Loubelle70 · 19/09/2023 09:25

@RealityFan my stepfather, male neighbour and his friend say its a witch hunt. i am that exhausted with these men, im constantly trying to explain to these men, their eyes just glaze over..they don't want my view, ir a woman's view, which is misogynistic in its own right! Am i surrounded by misogynistic dckheads?
Anyway, i have never liked RB..up his own ass, not funny, juvenile humour, i hate the words bookie wookie...what a complete Twat. That's before all this came out, which sadly doesnt surprise me.

Yes, but I'm also wary of stuff like Kevin Spacey. Noone said give him the benefit, the world via # MeToo and # NeverAgain closed ranks against him. And look how that ended up...

Loubelle70 · 19/09/2023 09:25

@RealityFan my stepfather, male neighbour and his friend say its a witch hunt. i am that exhausted with these men, im constantly trying to explain to these men, their eyes just glaze over..they don't want my view, ir a woman's view, which is misogynistic in its own right! Am i surrounded by misogynistic dckheads?
Anyway, i have never liked RB..up his own ass, not funny, juvenile humour, i hate the words bookie wookie...what a complete Twat. That's before all this came out, which sadly doesnt surprise me.

RealityFan · 19/09/2023 09:16

That Brand/Ross episode was fifteen years ago. FIFTEEN! I feel old.

I must admit, I was in the middle of my proto mens rights phase, really dismissive of women's complaints against misogyny. I would roll my eyes at anything I heard that attacked my side.

It was an easy position to take, and felt oh so satisfying.

I'm thinking part of my reaction to the MRA of TRA is realisation of, and thus some shame, at being complicit in that easy misogyny.

Whether it's possible for men to do a total 180 on ingrained anti-women attitudes, I don't know. But my deep antagonism to what I'm seeing today is somewhat borne out of that period.

Am I an exception? That's an interesting Q. I'd say, probably. I've already talked to three men who say the Brand accusations are a witch-hunt against him.

Loubelle70 · 19/09/2023 08:53

I am fuming at that article!!!
'It is not as if Baille is some innocent convent girl. She admits she slept with Brand and she works as a "burlesque dancer" in a group called Satanic Sluts. Yet she claims Brand's jokes have damaged her public image and hurt her feelings. Oh please!'
WTAF!! victim blaming. I cant even atm!!

Georgina Baillie: I'm thrilled Brand and Ross have been suspended for the way they treated my grandfather

The woman at the centre of the furore over Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross's lewd calls to veteran actor Andrew Sachs said she was 'thrilled' the BBC presenters had been suspended.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1081414/Georgina-Baillie-Im-thrilled-Brand-Ross-suspended-way-treated-grandfather.html

Loubelle70 · 19/09/2023 08:47

RoyalCorgi · 19/09/2023 08:36

I remember reading the Tatchell article at the time. It's so revealing - I suspect Tatchell didn't realise how revealing. It drips with misogyny. It effectively says that Baillie was a slut who was asking for it.

I didnt even read this! Im off to read about tatchell article xx

RoyalCorgi · 19/09/2023 08:36

I remember reading the Tatchell article at the time. It's so revealing - I suspect Tatchell didn't realise how revealing. It drips with misogyny. It effectively says that Baillie was a slut who was asking for it.

Loubelle70 · 19/09/2023 08:08

@IwantToRetire
'But also such a horrible example of how porn warps men's view of women, and unfortunately means some women accept that them being pornified and abuser is "normal".'

Absolutely this!

Original poster
IwantToRetire · 19/09/2023 00:21

I am not saying this is a great article, but it is interesting that the Independent chose to publish it.

But when you look at the comments, it seems most people think this is a media stitch up and / or the fact that because he is no longer "left" they can attack him. Which seems to imply people accept that the media is covering up for men on the left. Not a good look.

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/russell-brand-allegations-women-rape-sexual-assault-b2413454.html

(Have removed the article preview as it is too unpleasant to see his image on FWR)

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NotBadConsidering · 18/09/2023 22:12

Peter Tatchell, one of the (many) examples of current red flags being ignored. The future Guardian will write an article asking “how were we to know?”

WarriorN · 18/09/2023 20:45

Found a a few gems on Julie bindels feed earlier

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/oct/30/russell-brand-jonathan-ross

Joint investigation by C4 Dispatches and The Times about allegations made by women who have worked with Russell Brand
Joint investigation by C4 Dispatches and The Times about allegations made by women who have worked with Russell Brand
Joint investigation by C4 Dispatches and The Times about allegations made by women who have worked with Russell Brand
LizzieSiddal · 18/09/2023 20:27

Yes Herring raises money for women’s aid every year but shouts at and calls out women who dare to call for women only spaces. I wonder why. Hmm

Ereshkigalangcleg · 18/09/2023 20:26

This is so dark.
I saw Herring at that theatre - probably around that time - and I remember he went off on one about TERFs. I disliked him then. Dislike him even more now.

I don't think he's a true believer, he just thinks women should move over. That probably goes for a lot of these men. They're not batshit, just sexist and misogynistic.

WhereAreWeNow · 18/09/2023 20:16

JanesLittleGirl · 18/09/2023 19:15

From the Telegraph live update:

"Footage has emerged of the moment Russell Brand made a joke about a raping someone during a live comedy podcast.

Video, which has been deleted from YouTube in the past 24 hours was taken from a 2013 interview between Brand and Richard Herring at the Leicester Square Theatre.

During the Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast, Brand joked: “I’ve raped someone once”, he later added he “killed her after”. The audience and Mr Herring responded by laughing."

What an awesome comedian.

This is so dark.
I saw Herring at that theatre - probably around that time - and I remember he went off on one about TERFs. I disliked him then. Dislike him even more now.

Original poster
IwantToRetire · 18/09/2023 19:36

He is/was part of that group of male comedians (maybe more extreme) who presented themselves as being alternative and left wing. But primarily it was just another way of objectifying women and getting paid to do it. And because they were so progessive (not) they felt able to be more extreme and crude.

I just cant understand why he was allowed on air. Shame on the tv programmes who thought they were being cutting edge in letting him on the air waves.

But also such a horrible example of how porn warps men's view of women, and unfortunately means some women accept that them being pornified and abuser is "normal".

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JanesLittleGirl · 18/09/2023 19:15

From the Telegraph live update:

"Footage has emerged of the moment Russell Brand made a joke about a raping someone during a live comedy podcast.

Video, which has been deleted from YouTube in the past 24 hours was taken from a 2013 interview between Brand and Richard Herring at the Leicester Square Theatre.

During the Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast, Brand joked: “I’ve raped someone once”, he later added he “killed her after”. The audience and Mr Herring responded by laughing."

What an awesome comedian.