Russell Brand accused of rape, sexual assaults and abuse: The Times/Sunday Times story

[BrontëParsonage]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/d4d93e74-5478-11ee-bc18-cbdd58145dc6?shareToken=b3cd34ae6268daad4741e6c092ceac97

Having said that, the timing of this one does feel a bit weird though I can’t put my finger on why. He’s always been a slimeball, I’m fairly sure there is no end of stories out there and this is probably just the start. But why report it now? And why are channel 4 merrily going along with it when they launched him into the mainstream in the first place?

I think this might be the point where we find out who cares about women's rights and protecting children...

And who is espousing those causes for other reasons.

It's seven women's word against Russell Brand's.

But there will be more, won't there?

I think we should pay attention to those defending Brand and be sceptical about how much they care about about women's rights and protecting children from now on.

But right now, that's not fact.

That's why it is dangerous.

I don't know if he's innocent or guilty, it's not my job to work that out but accusations are just that until they are proved otherwise.

I'm not a rape apologist.

But I do question what anyone wants out of this. Go to the police. Go to court. Get him sent to prison. If he's guilty, that should happen.

Go to the media? What are you looking for.

Doesn't surprise me sadly. After his Andrew sachs phone call he clearly showed the world he holds his female sexual partners as lesser beings.

But I do question what anyone wants out of this. Go to the police. Go to court. Get him sent to prison. If he's guilty, that should happen.

You question why someone wants to stop the systematic cover up of sexual abuse by a high profile figure?

Who has it been covered up by @klhfd? Can you provide sources?

My friend waited for her rape case to come to court for several years because of the defunding of the court system in the U.K. and lockdowns.

Then he got off.

Again.

Rape is 99.8% legal in the United Kingdom.

And there are rapists in our police forces.

Just Said the same to my son.

Obviously I don’t want rapists to get away with it, but this doesn’t sit right with me.

@CornishGem1975 I'm not one of the investigative journalists, you're asking the wrong person, do you have sources refuting the rumours because this has been talked about for years, I'm assuming this is the comedian Katherine Ryan has alluded to for years (though only assuming) why are you so adamant this isn't to be taken seriously? Investigative journalism has exposed huge scandals over the years, it's all not click bait trash.

I'm actually appalled at the behaviour and attitudes tonight on Mumsnet, there's no wonder women don't come forward

One victim said she didn’t want to go to the police because she didn’t want to drag her family through it all, but she’s gone public to the media.
Why is this?
Why not go down the legal route? Was she concerned she wouldn’t be believed?

But I do question what anyone wants out of this. Go to the police. Go to court. Get him sent to prison. If he's guilty, that should happen.

Should, but doesn't in the vast majority of cases. The vast vast majority of rapists never speak to the police. And if they do, they aren't charged. And if they are charged they aren't convicted. And if they are convicted, they aren't sentenced in a way that reflects the severity of what they have done.

If someone wants justice, the justice system won't be where they find it. I wish all these women luck with the media. At least there's a vague chance someone will be held to account.

Yes. Like that horrible bit about him drooling into her mouth and forcing her to swallow it.

Let me be straight, I'm not refuting anything. He's a slimy piece of shit so it wouldn't surprise me, but I don't and will not, support trial by media because I think it's dangerous and could happen to anyone. Innocent or guilty.

I’ve had to turn the programme off. It’s so disturbing and upsetting.

@CornishGem1975 this has been a 3 year investigation with an impressive list of evidence, the powerful are protected, do you really think with the conviction rate and misogynistic society we are in that one of his victims would just be able to report to the police, be taken seriously and get him convicted? You're not that naive surely?

Do any of you think though that it coming out in this way will hugely help ? , I'm not a lawyer but I can't see him being prosecuted now at all- as it would surely count as a predjuduced trial.

I can't stand him but I really don't think those of us questioning this method are apologists- just that we feel that it's taking a rather iffy step to the 'innocent until proven guilty' that the law is based on. Imagine if your H was accused of something and was possibly innocent, possibly guilty - but had been named and shamed in all your local papers and Facebook groups before any trial. The chances of a fair trial would be nil

Maybe I am that naive.

If there has been that much investigation and concrete evidence then why is a conviction not plausible? I'm not being a dick here. Genuine question. I know someone who was convicted on a lot less.

The attitudes on MN since this story broke show why most women chose not to report.

And they're probably quite mild compared to what's going on in the ready of social media.

Famous men can basically rape and sexually assault women with impunity. That's the message.

@Crikeyalmighty That was my thought. Surely this has shot any chance of an actual trial out of the water?

@klhfd presumablythat's what happened with Rolf Harris.

Absolutely I've worked in frontline VAWG services and I'm now a civil servant working on police perpetrated VAWG it's absolutely disgusting fellow women are perpetuating these issues

Perhaps trial by media is more successful than the judicial system now. After 10+ years of allegations I can see why the victims here might think so.

@CornishGem1975 exactly. I'm not saying that he's not a total horrible arse and deserves to be forever 'cancelled' - (but he won't care as he's built his persona up to make money away from TV) but that I think this totally takes away the option of a legal case.

@CornishGem1975 have you not seen the conviction rate quoted on here? You do know that the world is essentially a big boys' club and they protect there own- just look at the me too movement, the policing issue, Philip Schofield, the surgeon story this week and the likes of Jimmy Saville, powerful men are protected. Lone voices don't bring men like Russell Brand down.