Biggest news story: Part 3

[Mimmy352]

Right so it’s being described as Baroque because whoever is writing it is from the 18th century and can’t figure out how to upload the story

Well if they're putting it out on the TV tonight they're obviously not giving a shit about RB suing them.

I, like I suspect many of us on here, have been sexually assaulted to various degree, and have never reported it, for whatever reasons. If one thing can come out of this shitshow of hype, may it be that we discuss how fucking impossible it is for victims of sexual assault to declare themselves as such, and when they do, to be heard, and how often perpetrators are not even at the very least bothered, let alone found guilty and convicted, no matter their 'status in society', or how much power they have. Russell Brand and whatever he may or may not have done is not "the news story of the year". What we as a society do with these repeated, systemic issues is where the real story lies, and there will be more, no question. There's too much of this shit going unchallenged, and too many people/organisations allowing it. Rise up!

I believe there are a lot of men of certain social circles from a certain time '90s - '10s (men who are aged 30-50) that are inappropriate with young/underage women and sexually abusive. If they did dare to widen the social circle, there might not be too many surprises.

For example, the same when it came to Danny Masterton and Ashton Kutcher's comments about (then 14, he was 19) Mila Kunis. Then when you looked at their friends and who they dated, you could see a pattern amongst the group.

I say this as someone with personal experience of some of the music scene around mid '00s-'10s, looking back that era was very, very problematic. I imagine TV, film and comedy would have been the same.

But the police didn't trawl for prospective victim did they?

And anyway, I don't see why you think the police, when investigating, would not be allowed to contact people from the past to see if they have any corroborating stories, as long as they don't put words in people's mouth.

That alleges not just rape but also drugging.

Just watched him, he looks like he's either on drugs or has thyroid eye disease his eyes are popping.

We can't not take criminals to court or publicly hold them accountable because it feeds their crackpot followers' delusion...

Christ this thread is disappointing. Mumsnet posters have done so much over the years to help women who have been assaulted or raped. I think this website has genuinely made a major contribution to the way in which abusive relationships are viewed in wider society.

And yet here we are, at the end of a three year investigation by some of the UK’s finest journalists who are finally, finally taking misogyny in the entertainment industry seriously and there are people here defending Russel Brand and attacking the women who’ve been assaulted for ‘not going to the police.’ Who in the hell would go to the police to be disbelieved, belittled, or ignored? Even if you do get a charge, imagine how Brand would use his platform to assassinate your character, whip up his millions of followers to pile-on, and eventually just get away with it because a conviction is nigh-on impossible.

As someone who works in journalism, I can’t tell you how much work it takes to get a story like this across the line. Every word will be triple sourced.

And as for it being ‘not a big story’, it’s literally all anyone is talking about on social media.

There are 40,000 reporters in this country. If you think one story, written by six people, is some kind of dead cat to detract from ‘other more important stories’ then you’ve literally lost leave of your senses.

The failures of this Government, the fallout from Brexit, the collapse of the NHS and education are reported every single day. This story is not going to detract from them. It’s a piece of hard-won journalism that, despite ‘rumours’ for years, not a single other journalist has been able to get across the line (and God knows they’ve tried)

And for the person wanging on about Charlotte Owen getting a peerage, there’s a podcast on it as well as millions of words written by ‘MSM’ 🙄 journalists. A quick google should sort it.

I will save judgement for after the show. Though disappointed this is what all the hype has been for.

RB has always been very open about the fact he was a shagger, drug and alcohol abuser. Doesn’t excuse his behaviour but he’s always been pretty open about his past, his battles and his recovery.
He does also have a few good points, 2 that I can remember are he had no prenup with Katy Perry and despite being entitled to money didn’t take it upon divorcing. And the 2nd when he was awarded money for something the press had written the money went to a charity relevant at that time, can’t remember which one.

It doesn’t mean bad people can’t do bad things or good people can’t do bad things but it’s a bit sad that in this day and age people judge so quickly based on some articles and social media posts.

I didn't want to comment until I had read the article. I'm just so shocked at what I have read, it's extremely disturbing. We all knew he had different addictions, but I was honestly gobsmacked reading that article, it all sounded very like R Kelly.

I was a fan 😞😞 I liked him years ago. I didn't follow him in recent times. I just feel very sad that he was doing this all these years.

While the article explains in detail what the women suffered, I can't help but wonder why other parts were glossed over, things like him offering to bring his assistant naked to Jimmy Saville, or the side kick in radio station , sorry can't remember his name his initials were MM, and how they got naked in the studio and made guests do the same/asked them.

He's linked with a lot of other celebrities. It makes you wonder... Plus how sad is it, that, was it Channel 4? was going to remove all female staff to protect them and not have to loose him, so they knew. And his management team been relieved that 2 of his PAs that applied for jobs with him, one was Gay and one was the same age as his mother, so they knew these women wouldn't be assaulted, so they knew.

it’s a bit sad that in this day and age people judge so quickly based on some articles and social media posts.

It's not "just some articles" though is it? He has successfully sued at least two papers in the past, you think The Times won't have thoroughly investigated this lest they be sued? and Dispatches? You think these women making claims want to find themselves sued too? It is so scary to name your rapist, especially when they have more status/power than you do, it's fucking terrifying in fact and I didn't/couldn't do it so more power to them.

He’s always looked like that.

We can't not take criminals to court or publicly hold them accountable because it feeds their crackpot followers' delusion...

I didn't say they shouldn't be. However, I doubt very much this is new (or even 3 year old) information to either C4 and the Times, so the timing of the reveal is interesting; as is the potential statute of limitations issues wrt the US cases, that might not have been an issue had the incidents come to light sooner. Such that, the attacks can be publicised and discussed and RB convicted in the court of public opinion, without anyone having to turn up to and actual court and actually testify in a criminal case.

Did you read the article? One of his victim has a medical report from a rape centre the day she alleges he assaulted her and sent him a message saying that he had scared her and "no means no". He answered "sorry". It's not he says, she says. It's she says and he admits.

He should be arrested...

I do wonder if C4 will take any blame for the monster they created

Unlikely considering their current position in this is they are not ‘legally’ obliged to answer any questions.
The BBC are going with a slightly different take of quoting Data Protection for not answering questions.

Does that mean his crimes should be forgiven? No. Should they be forgotten? Possibly

What @Loulou599? If he has raped multiple women we should just forget about it?

I think many people wanted to remove RB for a long time, ever since he became that odious mouthpiece for MRA and Trump supporters. So he's not actually wrong, "the powers" probably want to get rid of him and his past alleged crimes was the perfect opportunity. The lesson here is not to become an outspoken dick whilst having skeletons in your closet.

Interestingly, The Times article mentioned several key victims only coming forward after being contacted by reporters. So there was a clear, concerted effort behind the scenes to prosecute. The women who didn't press charges back then were most likely assured it would happen now with many witnesses coming forward.

To be honest, does it make a difference to anyone's lives if RB ended up behind bars? Probably not. His YouTube platform will get deleted very soon anyway and he'll lose the ability to spread whatever crackpot theories he goes on about. The world will be a slightly better place and a few more women will have justice.

But he was dead, and therefore couldn’t face any kind of justice. Russel Brand isn’t, and could face justice, but surely this program and article are going to make sure that there would be a solid argument that he will never be able to have a fair trial. I’m not sure what they’re trying to achieve.

It's terrible for the victims but making such a drama and BIG NEWS ? FFS everyone knows what he's been accused of in the past.
Hardly earth shattering let alone all the bloody hype around it.

So rubbish. I was really hoping for the aliens exist revelations

I don’t have access to the article just the posts I’ve seen on X and here hence why I will wait till I see the programme tonight. If someone does have proof via txt message and a medical report I’m wondering why she didn’t go to the police then? Was she paid off or did the police not want to pursue it?
I agree that IF this is all true then he should be arrested but that’s down to the police not social media to decide.

accusations of multiple rapes are big news. The fact he may have gotten away with it due to his status, is big news.

I will keep repeating, every time you say ‘Rape isn’t big news, we all knew he was sleazy’ you minimise rape and support men like this getting away with it. We SHOULD be screaming about this. We need to keep putting these men who do this. And every time it should be a bloody big news story. Even if you ‘always thought they were a wrong un’, we need to talk about the allegations and ask the questions as to WHY these people were allowed to get away with it for so long.

There should be hype, loads of hype, so we can root these bastards out and ensure it doesn’t happen again in the future.

Honestly? Multiple women claim to have been raped and you’re attempting crappy jokes?

This thread is so disappointing. No wonder women don’t come forward when this is the support they get from other women. Twee stupid jokes about aliens.

If someone does have proof via txt message and a medical report I’m wondering why she didn’t go to the police then?

Explained in the article.

She has shared a full copy of her treatment records, which state that she provided her underwear and other samples as evidence, which were frozen. An officer from the Los Angeles Police Department was alerted by the centre, according to the notes, but she chose not to make a police report — saying to the centre she “didn’t think my words would mean anything up against his”. The notes also state that “she was worried that, if her assailant’s name is somehow released, then her name will be dragged through the dirt”.

all the 'meh just a bit of rape' comments are pretty depressing. people falling over themselves to be unperturbed. society really doesn't take rape and sexual assault seriously.