The Guardian view on Russell Brand: his conviction sends a powerful message | Editorial
The brave women who testified against the star have struck a blow against the sexual entitlement that he personifiedThe conviction of Russell Brand for one rape and three sexual assaults...
By Editorial · The Guardian Opinion
The brave women who testified against the star have struck a blow against the sexual entitlement that he personified The conviction of Russell Brand for one rape and three sexual assaults on Thursday would never have happened were it not for the remarkable courage of his victims. There was no guarantee, before the trial, that he would be found guilty; two more rape charges and one of attempted indecent assault ended in acquittal. The women who testified about what Brand did to them between 2004 and 2009 are owed a debt of gratitude by everyone who believes that sexual predators should pay a price for their crimes, even when they are celebrities. On Monday, Brand will receive what the judge said would be a “significant” jail sentence. The message sent by his rape conviction is particularly powerful. His sexual encounter with “Woman E”, who was 21 at the time, began as a consensual one, before he turned it into an anal rape that left her with psychological and physical injuries. A single case is unlikely to alter a culture of male sexual entitlement, in which it is viewed as acceptable to push women over boundaries that they do not want to cross. But the jury’s acceptance of her version of events – which was supported by multiple witnesses – can still be viewed as a step forward. Far too many women are disbelieved, or not taken seriously, when they make allegations about abuse by partners. Continue reading...