Russell Brand conviction prompts media industry abuse warning
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy warns that sexual abuse likely persists in media, citing power imbalances and poor whistleblower protection following Russell Brand's rape and sexual assault convictions.
Russell Brand is due to be sentenced on Monday after being convicted last week of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The case involved allegations from six women spanning the decade between 1999 and 2009. Brand used his influence, status and fame to exploit and sexually offend against women. He was acquitted of two rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault. The judge presiding over Brand's criminal case told the court that Brand would be handed down a lengthy prison sentence.
Brand's conviction has renewed scrutiny of how Britain's entertainment industry has treated well-known performers accused of abusing their power. Several headlines foreground the idea that the Brand case points to a continuing sexual abuse problem in media and entertainment.
Political response
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told the BBC that sexual abuse in the media industry probably still happens today. She said organisations in media and public life have not changed enough to deal with women who come forward. Nandy warned that women often face a 'very heavy cost' for speaking up, pointing to power imbalances and short-term contracts.
She said many people from within the industry had reached out to her to allege that things have happened to them. Nandy said many had come forward from within the industry, including from the BBC. She pointed to power imbalances and short-term contracts some staff members are given. Power imbalances, short-term flexible contracts, and who you know being key to career advancement are cited as reasons speaking up has a heavy cost.
Nandy urged media and entertainment companies to strengthen protections for women against abuses. She urged other organisations to sign up to CIISA or face possible government mandates. Lisa Nandy said: "Time is up, it really is time for the media industry to take this seriously." She says the case must be a wake-up call to the media world and beyond.
Industry accountability
The BBC had been an "exemplar" in signing up to the industry body to protect whistleblowers - the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority. A BBC editorial standards report in January last year found staff felt unable to complain about Brand due to the culture at Radio 2 and Radio 6 Music. The corporation restated its apology to staff who felt they could not speak up with concerns about Brand's behaviour when he worked at the BBC between 2006 and 2008.
A BBC spokesperson said the broadcaster has made a significant commitment to improve its culture, processes and standards. Last year, following an independent culture review, the BBC set out the behavioural expectations for everyone who works with or for the BBC. The BBC formally apologised to those affected.
Channel 4, which aired Big Brother and its spin-off programmes at the time Brand was a presenter, said it recognised the profound impact of these crimes. The broadcaster removed all previous seasons of the show in May after a BBC report detailed allegations of rape by two women during filming. Britain's Channel 4 cancelled Married at First Sight UK last week following a review prompted by serious allegations of misconduct.
Some women say they feared speaking out could harm their careers. It emerged after the verdicts that Brand is under investigation for two further rape allegations. Russell Brand faces a significant prison sentence following his conviction.
