A woman raped by Russell Brand in 2009 after meeting him at a show told Southwark Crown Court that Brand's rising stardom made it difficult to escape what happened to her.
She was 21 when then 33-year-old Brand attacked her before subjecting her to “degradation and humiliation”. Her statement was read to the court by Riel Karmy-Jones KC.
Victim describes power imbalance
The woman said: “The defendant’s public profile had a significant impact on me – because of who he was and the influence he held, I did not feel confident speaking openly about what had happened.”
“I did not know who I could trust or confide in. I felt that if I reported him, I would not be believed.”
“His fame, wealth and influence created a power imbalance which made me feel powerless.”
“I did not have the confidence to challenge someone who appeared so powerful, rich and influential.”
“His public profile meant that he remained present in my life even when I wanted to move on.”
“I would regularly encounter references to him in the media, which made it difficult to escape reminders of what had happened.”
Brand’s rape victim’s statement continued to be read as Brand continued to look straight ahead.
Reporting and court process
She continued: “When I eventually reported what had happened, it was not simply because of the media documentary.”
“By that stage I had become aware of the police investigation and felt that I was finally in a stronger position mentally to disclose my experience.”
“Reporting what happened was something I had hoped I would eventually be able to do, but it took a long time to reach that point.”
“The investigation and criminal justice process have been extremely difficult.”
“Providing personal records and access to my mobile phone felt highly intrusive, and at times I felt as though I was the person being scrutinised and interrogated.”
“Every update regarding the case brought back memories of the incident and felt like reopening old wounds.”
“Rather than allowing me to move forward, updates often pulled me back into a painful period of my life.”
“I have also been very anxious about attending court and being cross-examined.”
“The thought of personal details being discussed publicly has caused me significant distress.”
Media coverage and family impact
The woman also said she feared her identity and the identities of her loved ones would have become known during the trial.
She said: “The media coverage surrounding the case has added another layer of difficulty.”
“I was unprepared for the level of publicity. It has been extremely distressing to relive what happened and then see it discussed so widely across television, newspapers and online platforms.”
“I have been worried throughout that my identity, or the identities of my family members, could become known.”
“The intensity of media interest has created anxieties that are separate from the rape and has made it much harder to put the experience behind me.”
“I have also found it upsetting to the suggestions that I was merely an obsessive fan.”
“That portrayal does not reflect who I am. I had my own ambitions, goals and aspirations, and it has been deeply hurtful to be labelled in that way.”
“The impact has also been felt by my family. My parents have supported me throughout, but I know that what happened has affected them too.”
“My father worried constantly about me, and it has been painful for him to repeatedly see in the media the man who raped me.”
“Knowing that my family have suffered alongside me has been extremely difficult.”
Long-term effects and sentencing
“The consequences of what happened have affected almost every aspect of my life.”
“Even now, I continue to experience anxiety, difficulties with trust, reduced confidence and the lasting effects of trauma.”
“What happened is not something that I have simply been able to move on from.”
“It remains a significant part of my life and continues to influence how I view myself, my relationships and my future.”
“I hope the court can understand the lasting and far-reaching effect this offence has had on me and the impact that continues to have on me to this day.”
“Following what happened, I felt anxious, humiliated and overwhelmed.”
“I struggled to eat and sleep, and I found it difficult to cope with my emotions.”
“The impact was so significant that I had to take time away from work, and for a period I returned to live with my parents because I did not feel safe and felt unable to cope on my own.”
“I sought help and support because I was struggling with my feelings, and difficulties with sleep have continued over the years.”
“Even now, I feel that I am living with the trauma of what happened. It is something I carry with me every day and it often feels never-ending.”
Her statement continued: “My confidence and self-esteem have been badly affected.”
“I regularly feel on edge and question my own judgment.”
“I doubt my ability to make good decisions and no longer trust my instincts in the way I once did.”
“I have lost trust in other people, particularly those I do not know well, and I often worry that I will not be listened to or believed.”
“I also lost respect for myself following the incident and felt as though I had lost control over my own life.”
“Looking back, I feel that I abandoned myself and my own needs.”
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC told the court that after the rape Brand attempted to degrade and humiliate her. He said this included: “Requiring her to shower and brush her teeth and commenting after the offence that she needed to clean up the mess she had made before directing her to wipes.”
Ms Karmy-Jones said the victim was “particularly vulnerable due to her personal circumstances”, the age disparity between the pair when Brand was 33, and her “admiration and idealisation” of the celebrity.
She added that Brand “as a much older man knowingly exploited her by pushing her”.
Brand’s rape victim said the attack has “affected intimacy”.
The statement read: “The incident has affected my relationships and my ability to trust others.”
“I find it much harder to form new friendships and relationships than I did previously.”
“I am often suspicious of people and worry about their intentions.”
“My experiences have also affected intimacy.”
“Certain situations make me feel anxious and uncomfortable, and there are times when changes during intimate contact can trigger feelings of anxiety and loss of control.”
Brand’s rape victim said she has become “hypervigilant” since the attack.
Her statement continued: “The incident also affected my day-to-day life.”
“I became hypervigilant and frequently found myself analysing the behaviour and demeanour of other people.”
“I often felt on edge and avoided certain situations.”
“There were periods where I increased my alcohol consumption to block out my feelings and memories.”
“Although this was an unhealthy coping mechanism, at the time I felt unable to manage the emotional impact in any other way.”
Russell Brand is due to be sentenced at 2pm today.
