Page 5 | Russell Brand

Wassapp · 2023-09-16T21:07:16+00:00

AIBU to think... 'here we go again?' Anyone watching? I've always said 'innocent until proven guilty' but also 'there is no smoke without fire'. Having been sexually assaulted myself, one of the stories seem so similar to mine. What's your thoughts? This is the most confusing post, I know. I just don't know how I feel.

CatsAreBetterThanPpl · 16/09/2023 23:07

You were very brave to go to the police and go through the process. I hope it's got better but it's shocking this was still happening less than 20 years ago.

I also found him ten times more odious after the Jonathan Ross /Sachs call..... I get angry and Ross even now it doesn't matter if he wasn't saying the offensive things he was a passive bystander IMO.

fionaapple · 16/09/2023 23:09

YeOldeBuxomWench · 16/09/2023 22:57

I agree with this. It is very sad if it is true and begs the question why didn't people feel they could come forward sooner instead of all now.

Part of me wonders if his exposing of corruption with our government and other things has lead to this coming out now and therefore it is useful to start believing these girls now and their stories were ignored before.

If it isn't true, it's just another trial by media isn't it? Shows the media have too much power really and are getting involved in police matters when they shouldn't be. Either way it makes them look pretty shit as well as Brand.

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People did come forward earlier but even if they hadn't, what difference would it make? When women come out and accuse adored male celebrities or public figures of assault or rape, there will always be people with parasocial relationships with these men who won't believe them, no matter the evidence they're presented with. Their stories were ignored because that's what happens when someone with more money, power and influence is accused of a crime. They make it disappear, or so they think they can. People have been talking about RB's behaviour for years and like others have said, it was almost an open secret. He was associated with Jimmy Saville ffs! I can assure you that nothing this man spouts is detrimental enough to the government or MSM that such a scandal would need to be orchestrated to silence him.

StBrides · 16/09/2023 23:09

Livelovebehappy · 16/09/2023 23:07

Of course not. Allegations of this nature should be treated seriously and the perpetrator punished according to the evidence. Although I would say ‘unequal relationships’ are probably pretty common in high profile relationships to a certain extent.

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But there was a lot of padding out with the bits about giving numbers to girls/inviting them back stage. Women in this position should just decline to go back stage or give their numbers to him.

So then why don't you recognise the disparate power dynamics in this example you gave?

notlucreziaborgia · 16/09/2023 23:10

YeOldeBuxomWench · 16/09/2023 22:57

I agree with this. It is very sad if it is true and begs the question why didn't people feel they could come forward sooner instead of all now.

Part of me wonders if his exposing of corruption with our government and other things has lead to this coming out now and therefore it is useful to start believing these girls now and their stories were ignored before.

If it isn't true, it's just another trial by media isn't it? Shows the media have too much power really and are getting involved in police matters when they shouldn't be. Either way it makes them look pretty shit as well as Brand.

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What has he exposed exactly? He’s a YouTube grifter, peddling conspiracy theories under the guise of ‘JuSt AsKiNg QuEsTiOnS’ to an alt- right audience desperate to eat that shit up because they want to believe that they’re so very intelligent and enlightened compared to ‘the sheep’, all dressed up in pseudo intellectualism.

It’s hardly groundbreaking territory he’s ventured into, he’s merely laid the groundwork for denial on the basis that ‘they’ are ‘out to get him’.

Comeonbarbiebrianharvey · 16/09/2023 23:10

The whole programme felt to me like a desperate scramble by c4 to somehow vindicate themselves from any wrong doing/responsibility/enabling, because they were responsible for the exposé.

They very clearly said they recruited young ladies for the audience, gave them his number etc. Yet because they have now edited rude sexual one liners to sinister music, they are revealing the truth. When in fact these rude, offensive by today's standards innuendo laden one liners were part of the whole persona that THEY nutured and sculpted, he was one of their biggest stars.

I found it telling how they said 'he was a heroine addict at MTV, a sex addict at c4, and a predator at bbc'. Ah OK, the illegal part only happened at the bbc then?

Again the serious allegations should be looked at by police, but C4 are insincere and almost patronising to suggest they genuinely care about any victims, and they're not trying to get in first before any injuctions have presumably run out, I read months ago on mumsnet rumours about RB dishing out injunctions about sexual allegations, guessing they ran out this weekend?

ChocolateyBiccy · 16/09/2023 23:11

I agree with the comments about the Sachs call. I really couldn't understand at the time how it was not career-ending for them, especially Brand. Absolutely vile behaviour.

HRTQueen · 16/09/2023 23:11

Same old story powerful man who is a sexual predator is allowed to get away with terrible criminal behaviour. But it never not upsets me just no longer shocks me

I agree more men shall be named in comedy he isn't the only one

fionaapple · 16/09/2023 23:12

Dannii Minogue in 2006. She must've been psychic to have been able to predict that he would need to be silenced by the MSM in 2023 too!😦🙄

301963Laurie · 16/09/2023 23:12

YeOldeBuxomWench · 16/09/2023 22:57

I agree with this. It is very sad if it is true and begs the question why didn't people feel they could come forward sooner instead of all now.

Part of me wonders if his exposing of corruption with our government and other things has lead to this coming out now and therefore it is useful to start believing these girls now and their stories were ignored before.

If it isn't true, it's just another trial by media isn't it? Shows the media have too much power really and are getting involved in police matters when they shouldn't be. Either way it makes them look pretty shit as well as Brand.

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Yep this ..and yes I think he is creepy and cannot bare the sight of this man!

allmyliesaretrue · 16/09/2023 23:13

Wassapp · 16/09/2023 22:31

Yep. What I said was totally confusing and I said that in my OP.

I think what I meant was, I like to think that people are innocent til proven guilty but in a case like this, in a day and age where someone will sue at the drop of a hat, a media coverage like this has to be shown with alot of conviction that they are sure of what they are saying.

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I'm firmly in 'camp innocent until proven guilty'.

However, in this case, it's very difficult to argue that line.

I can fully believe that the odious creep could well be a vile predator too. So-vile was never tried or convicted - yet no-one can be in any doubt of his guilt. Brand is the same.

His poor children.

Stressedafff · 16/09/2023 23:14

He knocked me sick to my stomach 10-15 years ago and he knocks me sick to my stomach now. I don’t doubt these women for a second.

StBrides · 16/09/2023 23:14

allmyliesaretrue · 16/09/2023 23:13

I'm firmly in 'camp innocent until proven guilty'.

However, in this case, it's very difficult to argue that line.

I can fully believe that the odious creep could well be a vile predator too. So-vile was never tried or convicted - yet no-one can be in any doubt of his guilt. Brand is the same.

His poor children.

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His poor victims.

CatsAreBetterThanPpl · 16/09/2023 23:15

I feel very sorry for any mumsnetters out there that are actually vindicating Russell Brand he was and always will be an odious piece of sh*t I feel sorry for you. You obviously luckily have never been sexually assaulted or been in a position where you haven't felt safe.

For the ones who say "oh he's a controversial figure going against the government" shame on you. If you have daughters/ nieces / sister's I hope you're never in a situation where you or them are in any of the positions these women found themselves in.

Livelovebehappy · 16/09/2023 23:18

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Lifeomars · 16/09/2023 23:18

ChocolateyBiccy · 16/09/2023 23:11

I agree with the comments about the Sachs call. I really couldn't understand at the time how it was not career-ending for them, especially Brand. Absolutely vile behaviour.

and the pair of them sniggering away like two silly kids, except that the stuff they were doubled up laughing at was not childish, it was crude repulsive misogyny. You can tell that they both think they are so daring and hilarious when in fact they are pathetic and witless. These men have daughters ( I know Brand didn't at the time) and I wonder if they like to think of any of them ever being spoken about like that

Gettingbysomehow · 16/09/2023 23:19

Yet another sick fuck who hates women, I'm surprised to hear about the choking on his penis stories though. I've seen it on tv and its microscopic.

ohsuzannah · 16/09/2023 23:20

I don't know why, but he reminds me of Charles Manson. It's the look in his eyes 😒

CherryMaDeara · 16/09/2023 23:21

Livelovebehappy · 16/09/2023 22:55

Where have I skimmed over the rape allegations? I’ve said these made for grim viewing. Distressing and disgusting in equal measures. But there was a lot of padding out with the bits about giving numbers to girls/inviting them back stage. Women in this position should just decline to go back stage or give their numbers to him. This is something that 99% of celebs do, and they openly admit to having done it in their careers. And I am no apologist for Brand. I am not, and never have been, a fan.

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Because you watched the ‘distressing and disgusting’ rape allegations and yet your first concern in your post is why has Brand been singled out and why girls went back to meet him backstage.

You tacked on the rape allegations make for grim viewing almost as an afterthought.

liverpoolgal82 · 16/09/2023 23:22

Goldcircle · 16/09/2023 22:34

I think he might have been set up, too political and into conspiracy

Set up? He was being set up all those years ago when he raped that woman? He was being set up when she reported it the next morning at rape centre? He was being set up when he texted her apologising
from a phone number that’s been verified to be his? Really? That’s just one of the incidents.

trythisforsize · 16/09/2023 23:23

Comeonbarbiebrianharvey · 16/09/2023 23:10

The whole programme felt to me like a desperate scramble by c4 to somehow vindicate themselves from any wrong doing/responsibility/enabling, because they were responsible for the exposé.

They very clearly said they recruited young ladies for the audience, gave them his number etc. Yet because they have now edited rude sexual one liners to sinister music, they are revealing the truth. When in fact these rude, offensive by today's standards innuendo laden one liners were part of the whole persona that THEY nutured and sculpted, he was one of their biggest stars.

I found it telling how they said 'he was a heroine addict at MTV, a sex addict at c4, and a predator at bbc'. Ah OK, the illegal part only happened at the bbc then?

Again the serious allegations should be looked at by police, but C4 are insincere and almost patronising to suggest they genuinely care about any victims, and they're not trying to get in first before any injuctions have presumably run out, I read months ago on mumsnet rumours about RB dishing out injunctions about sexual allegations, guessing they ran out this weekend?

This is exactly how I viewed the whole thing too.

And to the person saying 'surely the girls invited backstage could have said no' - well I don't suppose they thought they would be sexually coerced or assaulted in a Ch4 studio. They should never have been invited by the crew into a situation that Ch4 knew was very risky.
AND - if these girls rang the studio in tears why on earth did the crew carry on facilitating Brand's predatory behaviour?
Ch4 are guilty as hell.

ICanBuyMyOwnBooks · 16/09/2023 23:24

I'm angry at the way the media has cynically used these women's stories to try to drum up publicity over the last 24 hours. I'm angry at the idiots suggesting RB had a three-year-plan to discredit the MSM - he doesn't have to - his fans will support him regardless. Unless there is a conviction and jail, people will always find ways to excuse alleged abusive behaviour. And even if there is a conviction and jail, there will still be people willing to excuse men and blame women. We know all this. Channel 4 knows all this. I'm exhausted by the entire circus. Because precisely nothing will change except RB's fans will think he is definitely credible in what he says about the MSM; and the women will be hounded and abused further. And Channel 4 will pat itself on the back whilst ignoring all the skeletons in its own cupboard and not asking the questions about why this keeps happening. And the culture of sexism and abuse on the comedy circuit will be completely unchanged.
And women all over the country will be sitting in their trauma, remembering when similar has happened to them - and the biggest lesson from this is that society doesn't care.

Sureaseggs44 · 16/09/2023 23:25

fionaapple · 16/09/2023 22:55

What difference does it make if the women would have went to the police? Those who think they are lying would think that they lied to the police as well as Channel 4. It is such a cop out opinion as so few rapists get convicted when their victims report them. Those who want to excuse monsters like RB will do so whatever evidence is presented to them. And are we forgetting that the man is a pedophile who only raped girls who were 16 and over because he could throw the consent law in their faces if they were to ever accuse him of something. He must've known he wasn't as protected as Saville and wouldn't have got away with raping children.

Just because a person does not agree with trial by media it does not mean they do not believe the victims.

GarlicGrace · 16/09/2023 23:25

@Livelovebehappy, quite a few young women would be happy enough for a one-nighter with a celeb. It's an adventure, a story to tell.

That does NOT equate to expecting to be treated like shit, raped, or to deserving it.

VillanellesCoat · 16/09/2023 23:26

VillanellesCoat · 16/09/2023 23:00

@Tigertigertigertiger ”Women in this position should just decline to give their number to him or go back stage”

Despite your protestations this sentence alone makes you sound very much like a victim blaming apologist.

Apologies @Tigertigertigertiger - I meant to quote @Livelovebehappy

CherryMaDeara · 16/09/2023 23:28

Comeonbarbiebrianharvey · 16/09/2023 23:10

The whole programme felt to me like a desperate scramble by c4 to somehow vindicate themselves from any wrong doing/responsibility/enabling, because they were responsible for the exposé.

They very clearly said they recruited young ladies for the audience, gave them his number etc. Yet because they have now edited rude sexual one liners to sinister music, they are revealing the truth. When in fact these rude, offensive by today's standards innuendo laden one liners were part of the whole persona that THEY nutured and sculpted, he was one of their biggest stars.

I found it telling how they said 'he was a heroine addict at MTV, a sex addict at c4, and a predator at bbc'. Ah OK, the illegal part only happened at the bbc then?

Again the serious allegations should be looked at by police, but C4 are insincere and almost patronising to suggest they genuinely care about any victims, and they're not trying to get in first before any injuctions have presumably run out, I read months ago on mumsnet rumours about RB dishing out injunctions about sexual allegations, guessing they ran out this weekend?

I’d like to think the Dispatches commissioning team have the journalistic freedom to investigate such cases based on their own assessment, and that the Dispatches commissioning team did not have to justify their investigation to Channel 4 bosses. I’m not sure how true that is.