Dispatches . Russel brand .

[fabmaccawhackythumbsaloft]

I actually like Russel brand . And I don't think he's ever hidden what he used to be in his heyday. He's always been very open about his drug use, and promiscuity.

I read his first book . I watch his videos on fb , and while I don't always agree with him, he seems to have totally overhauled his lifestyle, attitudes, is into yoga, self care, seems to be a decent husband and father .

Is this newsworthy ? Young famous comedian in heyday slept with lots and lots of women , consensually he says ?

Hes never hidden it.

On drug misuse I alWays had time for his views that it should be dealt with as a medical issue not a criminal one

What's the news story ?
I always feel like there is much glee and salivating before the media try and knock someone down.
I don't think this is a huw edwards where people would be shocked at him trying to pick up young women behind his wife's back

It seems that brand has settled down , lives a fairly mundane lifestyle and is happy with his choices .

Or am I completely missing something?

Being promiscuous is absolutely fine as long as those you're sleeping with understand that it's all casual sex. From what I've read though he actually raped someone and sexually assaulted others (including a school girl). Sorry, but that's completely different to just sleeping around. Allegedly he shoved his cock down a 16 year old girl's throat while she desperately trying to get him to stop. She was choking and gagging and he carried on. I can't know if this is true but you really think this is OK?

He certainly is. Many women shudder the day they meet him and his dead eyes.

@Hibernatalie 🙄

My point is your comment was nonsense.

He's not on trial.

🙄right. Ok.

The thing is, OP, I read your post before I'd read the Times article and I was appalled by it. I'm very glad and grateful that you've changed your mind but your initial reaction is an example of exactly why women don't report this stuff.

Without reading the article, we knew Brand was accused of rape and sexual assault. He said on his video that all his relationships had been consensual, making it crystal clear he'd been accused of non-consensual actions. Every headline after the story broke - before you posted this - used the words rape and sexual assault.

Still you posted about his promiscuity, as though that has any bearing on whether or not he's a rapist. Victims always hear this when it comes to powerful men - why would he rape anyone, he can get sex whenever he wants. Well, that's because he's a rapist. It's about power, violence, humiliation and control just as much as it's about sex.

Still you questioned the timing of the reports - women know they won't be believed, and there is strength in numbers. Why go to the police who don’t give a shit about rape? But when trusted, legitimate journalists tell you they have evidence of others then it's safer to talk.

I used to find him funny too. But plenty of rapists are charming, charismatic, funny men. It's not a defence.

He's being accused of rape and sexual assault, not promiscuity

@Hibernatalie so why hadn't he been arrested ?? I'm not saying he's not an utter shit head , but why is he out there doing shows and has not been arrested??

I am happy to wait. Funny you mention Jimmy Saville who was convicted and sent to prison and then say it’s legal to rape. It isn’t legal.

Seriously?

That's not how our legal system works.

His victims would have to report him to the police, give video statements, have their medical records and personal lives trawled through by police officers.... and then after all that he might be arrested for interview.

Although there are theoretical restrictions on naming rape victims, everybody in court, everybody involved in the case, everybody in their community will know their identity. So they won't actually be anonymous other than in the media - hence why other victims have found themselves receiving death threats and having to relocate and change their name.

Whereas journalists do actually protect their sources.

https://www.lse.ac.uk/Research/research-impact-case-studies/reforming-englands-libel-law

To avoid liability, a publisher can prove the truth of an allegation, show that it was made on a privileged occasion, show that it concerned a matter of public interest and was made responsibly, or that it was an honest comment.

A case where when you scratch the surface, it's defamatory will not stand up to a defence of being an honest comment.

The papers don't want to go to court, because its expensive, so they will have very good evidence it's true. Some of which is published.

Also there is quite a big gap between a civil burden of proof and a criminal one. Its entirely possible to publish something that isn't libellous, bit wouldn't have strong enough evidence for criminal conviction

Maybe people
commenting on this thread should read the article before they put forward ignorant, misinformed decisions. It’s not one woman but multiple women, with corroborating witnesses- including texts from Brand himself from the time of the assaults. There is testimony from his former personal assistants too. All very damning.

All this ‘I’m just a naughty lad’ bullshit is vile. Being a man doesn’t given you the right to fuck anyone you please whether they want you to or not. What an archaic opinion.

I think you might be confused. We don't usually convict or imprison corpses in this country.

I really can't stand him but not sure I like this kind of justice either if he hasn't been arrested.

I'm not saying it's untrue, I think it probably is true, but I think there are proper channels to seek justice and I don't think this is the way to do it. I'm not sure I 100% go along with people saying the police are dismissing things like this, in my experience the police love to get sleazy lowdowns on a celeb - they were not slow at nipping round to cliff Richards or Rolf Harris or Gary Glitters etc

I also know someone who was 100% falsely accused of rape too - and was proven to be the case - so I'm afraid I like court and evidence etc and convictions if appropriate

if trial by media type programmes stops any future rapist in their tracks or makes a sexual predator think twice about their behaviour then it's a good thing

this is yet another man in power taking what they want and feeling entitled to it - we need to ask questions as a society - why do men do this, how can we eradicate it and how can we prevent this culture and mindset developing as a society

it's in our police
it's in our fire service
it's in the NHS
it's in the media
it's in film industry
it's in our schools
it's in the music industry
it's in our charities
it's in politics
it's everywhere

the chickens are yet again coming home to roost

Read the times article and if any of it is true it is awful, the relationship with the 16 year old is vile but I don't know why the parents didn't do more to stop their daughter seeing him, perhaps easier said then done.

I remember some comedian doing a routine years ago where he spoke about choking a woman on his penis during oral sex years ago, saying that to him it was the sound of success, perhaps in the 2000's. I can't remember if it was Brand or not but I think it might have been, anyone remember?

@Crikeyalmighty I think you need to read this thread properly before making claims like that about how victims are treated by the police.

Employers can dismiss employees for misconduct without having to go through a criminal trial. I've never seen anyone protest that before, but as soon as anyone even dares discuss predatory behaviour they're silenced with cries of needing a "fair trial".

I call bullshit.

@SallyWD Its definitely not ok, its rape how anyone thinks that is ok is beyond me.

So many men get angry at adult women saying that adult men shouldn't date or sleep with teenage girls and this is why its not ok. Many of us have been there in our naivety we trust these men, think we love them and that they love us but in reality we are just a sexual aid to them. Let adult men fume about it, we know its wrong.

Why don't the women get a "fair trial" before people online call them liars.

@usernc1636943585458 - I haven't read every single post as there are so many threads- but did any of these women actually go to the police? I know 2 people who had to deal with rape and they were actually treated well and dealt with a female police officer , they were not disbelieved - and besides not being able to stand RB, im no lover of some of the police these days either. Im not saying I don't think this is true, I think it probably is but im suprised if it's not a matter of police record.

@Crikeyalmighty at least one of the accusers attended a rape centre in the US and declined to press charges as it essentially came down to her word against his. It’s not an unknown concern amongst victims of rape.

let’s face it, the UK and US police either separately or together wouldn’t have perused prosecutions or tied accusations together. They would have been treated as separate allegations. This is one area at least the media do have an edge in exposing abusers.

https://victimscommissioner.org.uk/news/the-distressing-truth-is-that-if-you-are-raped-in-britain-today-your-chances-of-seeing-justice-are-slim/

"For victims, reporting rape is effectively a lottery and the odds are rarely in your favour."

I find it odd that dispatches dedicated so much time to this one man who isn't even that big a celebrity any more. How is it in the public interest really? Obvs it's in the alleged victims interest in which case it should be investigated by the Police. But a 3 year investigation by a current affairs programme? Why?

I'm going to watch the program. I may be back .