From the Guardian · · 1m 50s
Met chief calls for Brand accusers to come forward
Police commissioner Mark Rowley expects more victims to emerge after Russell Brand's rape conviction, as questions mount over how courts handle sexual assault trials.
In brief
Police commissioner Mark Rowley expects more victims to emerge after Russell Brand's rape conviction, as questions mount over how courts handle sexual assault trials. Met police commissioner Mark Rowley urged potential victims of convicted rapist Russell Brand to come forward, saying he would not be surprised if many…
Brand convicted of rape and assault
Russell Brand, fifty-one, was convicted on Thursday of raping a woman at his luxury London townhouse and sexually assaulting three women at their workplaces.
Police chief expects more victims
Met police commissioner Mark Rowley said he would not be surprised if many more alleged victims of Brand emerged, and urged anyone with fresh allegations to come forward.
“I clearly wouldn't be surprised if many more came forward.”
Two more rape allegations under investigation
Brand is under investigation for two further rape allegations. The Met has submitted files to the Crown Prosecution Service regarding these cases.
Power imbalance silences young staff
Dorothy Byrne, former head of news and current affairs at Channel 4, warned that young women and men on short-term contracts fear professional retaliation if they speak out.
“There is such a disparity in power between the talent, who's seen as absolutely key to the success of the programme, and a young person who will be on a very short-term contract.”
Trial exposed victim-blaming in courts
Mark Rowley said some of what he heard reported from Brand's trial was getting very close to victim blaming, after the defence argued complainants had not resisted or screamed.
Rowley backs jury guidance on rape myths
Rowley strongly supports victims' commissioner Claire Waxman's call for courts to include legal directions to juries on rape myths and misconceptions in every rape trial.
“I strongly support Claire. I think what I've heard reported heads towards, it's getting very close to victim blaming.”
Brand case may deter future offenders
Dorothy Byrne said she hoped the Brand case could be a turning point, suggesting some men who behaved badly would feel frightened after seeing brave young women come forward to police.
“I think there will be some men who have behaved badly who will be feeling frightened today because they've seen here really brave young women come forward to the police.”
Here's the gist
Met police commissioner Mark Rowley urged potential victims of convicted rapist Russell Brand to come forward, saying he would not be surprised if many more emerged.
