So it is Russell Brand

[Gro]

The biggest news story of the year is about someone who has already written books about all the stuff he has done. I will be surprised if Dispatched can say one thing I didn't already know.

Big of you

Very much of the same opinion right now - It's a tad suspicious at least in those regards imo, why now?

Unless many more watching Russell Brand - In Plain Sight come forward, I doubt very much there will be criminal charges for historic sexual assault.

Any defence will claim that he had been in sexual relationships with all five women either before, during or after the time of the assault.

Alice was accused of a money-grab.
Rachel had a relationship after the flashing incident.
Jordan stands by her book but declined to be interviewed.
Nadia considered suing and sent a letter.
Phoebe wasn't raped.

The defence would argue shakedowns, scorned women, hearsay, the sex was legal and consensual or it didn't happen. Even with the damning texts, it would be argued that he's apologising for not using a condom rather than the act itself.
As with stealthing, it still constitutes rape (withdrawal of consent and Nadia was vocal) but sadly - as we see so often - he'd probably get off.

Please do not misconstrue me. I believe these women's accounts.
I am just not sure that there is enough evidence for the CPS to act.
Unless with Saville, after the documentary has aired, more women come forward.

Channel 4/Endemol/Radio 2 have questions to answer about toxic work environments.

They've been investigating for 3 years and now think they have enough evidence to mitigate litigation risks. For all the women prepared to go on record, I imagine there are dozens who aren't.

Other celebs are probably being investigated as well, but there is insufficient evidence yet (may never get enough).

The Sunday Times started investigating RB about the same time that he started moving politically right so I wouldn't read anything conspiratorial into why they chose to look at him - there's been smoke about him for years so, of course, investigators have been looking for the fire. His squawking about 'mainstream media' is just guff.

Both owned by Rupert Murdoch.
The Sun is surely like when Shakespeare is written for dc.
Same content but the big words have been changed for a different readership.

I know some of the shtuff his "peers" got up to, if they're ever exposed it'd be quite the scandal, sick bunch , too many drugs drives them quite mad and they search for new ways to get off. People who use drugs mix with dealers , who are criminals and lacking mentally. Nasty things happen.

Yeah, this. I decided that I would never report any potential rape after watching the trial of the Ulster rugby players. The way that girl was treated in court and all splashed over the papers. If you've ever shown any signs of being sexual, particularly with your rapist, they will try to use that as proof you're lying about being raped.

God, the po-faced internalised misogyny on this thread is bloody depressing

I've seen written elsewhere that at least one of the victims has been to the police.

I agree that sadly probably nothing will come of this in terms of charges, and definitely no conviction. Though I entirely believe all the women's accounts, and I'm sure there are more stories out there.

I'm astonished at people saying the article is a damp squib or a hit job. I found the allegations more disturbing, detailed and convincing than I was expecting. It is thoroughly researched and there is a lot of corroborating evidence and accounts, in particular around Nadia and the rape.

I have always liked Russell Brand, even in his new, wackier mode and even through his questionable behaviour. But this has instantly changed my opinion. I think there are some posters who need to open their eyes.

I think it's okay to acknowledge men like this are often likeable, charismatic and talented in other aspects of their life. It's part of why they get away with abuse for a long time.

Ain't it just?

So many rape and misogyny enablers.

But frankly it reads exactly like a serious and extensive hit piece that someone would make up on someone who has said specific stuff that has seriously pissed off the wrong people

These allegations are old though. I heard them within months of starting in the comedy industry and that was over ten years ago!

Yup @HangingOver

To the original poster - why doesnt it read exactly as it is? Why are so many people bending over backwards to defend this?

If as people seem to be believing, it was an "orchestrated attack" by "them", there are far easier ways to silence someone if you are an all-powerful body that secretly controls the world.

I'm genuinely quite shocked by the response to this, it's depressing.

I feel for the women involved and the women close to him - his mother, his wife and his two daughters.
I also sadly know how the system works and therefore am not at all surprised that the women individually did not choose to prosecute.
Given the hundreds of women RB has slept with, my only surprise is that they only got five women to go on the record, but as we can see from the thread as a whole, it's also not surprising.
The timing is strange (three years of investigation) as 2020-21 was Covid. I assume journos had some time on their hands and comments from comedians and podcasters led to a deep dive on his behaviour.

Why now is a stupid tinfoil hat question.

Why now? Because they've spent a long time pursuing facts, finding people to support the victims' stories, getting legal advice which takes a long time, writing the story, etc, and now all of the checks and balances are complete they're ready to publish.

Or do you think it's 'now' because he was getting ready to take down the establishment or something, with his shitty pseudo-intellectual podcast rantings...

It does matter that he was either drunk or high; it makes it worse in criminal terms.

Anyway, I doubt he will be prosecuted but he sounds like a dangerous narcissist and those don't change. Makes you wonder about his current life and what the reality is. The thought of this man leading people or specifically women in wellness festivals or similar sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

Exactly - "when you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras".

Thank you. I don’t like him either, like you I dislike “trial by media in order to fill pages” more than RB. There were many police reports against Saville before the scandal erupted , many against Weinstein (fact is there was a whole police investigation going on), same with Epstein, what solid evidence is there against RB? I’m not saying there’s any (I don’t have access to police files),once I see that I’ll be able to form an opinion. In the meanwhile I refuse to let Murdoch and their croonies form my own opinion.

Reading what he did to the 16 year old makes me sick and angry.

I believe them.

He says the press has come after him because they are competing with him. Really? Most people couldn’t give a shit about his YouTube channel. He is deluded.

If you haven't read the Time article, it is unpleasant but the first part will tell you enough about the investigation to understand theres quite a good deal of evidence. However, I feel the Times and Channel 4 should have handed it to the police with victims agreement of course, and publish at a later date if nothing is done. I know with Danny Masterson, some of the women had told police and they hadn't done anything. I don't know for sure but doesn't;t seem this is the case here.

Thank you, but don't worry, I understood you.

All I can hope is that the people defending him on this thread aren't women. The alternative is very upsetting. No wonder women don't come forward.

I've been at the receiving end of at least 3 sexual assaults serious enough to go to police. I've never reported any of them. My mum reported a guy who followed me down a quiet street and masturbated at me when I was 11 years old. The police literally laughed at us. I didn't even attempt to report when worse things happened to me later on.