Celebrities are “probably” committing horrific Russell Brand-style sexual abuse because the media industry has failed to get its act together, the Culture Secretary has warned.
Lisa Nandy made the comment after Brand was last week convicted of raping one of his fans and sexually assaulting three women during his showbiz heyday.
Industry responsibility
Speaking on Sky News Sunday Morning, she said: “I do think that there is a particular responsibility on media and entertainment organisations, just as there is in politics, to recognise that these are industries where people often are on short-term, flexible contracts where there are huge power imbalances, and where speaking up can really cost you your reputation and cost you opportunities.
“We need far more robust processes in place to protect women like the women who bravely came forward in the Russell Brand case to make sure that they are protected and treated seriously.
“Hand on heart, I don’t think we can say that this couldn’t happen today. In fact, I would wager that this is probably happening today, and I don’t think that the industry is doing enough to tackle it.”
Call for stronger protections
She urged media organisations to sign up to CIISA (Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority), an industry body that protects whistleblowers, adding that the Government is “considering what further steps we can take”.
Pressed about her belief that not enough had changed, Ms Nandy said: “I can’t see what has changed in terms of the way that many institutions in media and entertainment enable people to come forward, protect and support them. I can’t see what has changed in the intervening years.”
Conviction details
While Brand has been convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, he was found not guilty of two further rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Two further allegations against Brand are still being investigated and Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley has said he “wouldn’t be surprised if many, many more come forward”.
