Women break their silence on lasting trauma of abuse as Russell Brand faces prison sentence

Comedian Russell Brand was handed a prison sentence on Monday after being convicted of rape and sexual assault.

Judge Joel Bennathan sentenced Brand to more than 10 years in prison after he was found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

But the verdict would not have been possible without the bravery of the women who decided to break their silence and confront Brand’s popularity to get the justice they deserved.

The women whose voices were heard

Before the sentencing, the court heard victim impact statements from the women who had accused Brand of assault.

One victim shared how the assault had brought her “shock and turmoil for years.”

“I was extremely upset and traumatized. I didn’t have any respect for myself. I was thinking I was damaged goods – scared of giving off signals that could be taken the wrong way,” she added.

Another victim, a woman Brand sexually assaulted in 2005, said the abuse had made a lasting impact on her life.

“Over the years, hearing his voice on television or seeing his image has made me jump. I had a strong adverse reaction hearing his voice,” she added.

No remorse

She also described Brand as a “sexual predator” who has no remorse.

A woman, whom Brand raped, also made a statement in court, sharing how she felt anxious, humiliated, and overwhelmed, adding that the abuse made her struggle to sleep and cope with her emotions, even taking her time away from work.

“My confidence and self-esteem have been badly affected. I no longer trust my instincts.”

Another victim, whom Brand sexually assaulted in 2009 while working on a Channel 4 project, said what happened made her doubt people.

“I felt my working environment wasn’t safe. I felt powerless in that moment and it had a knock-on effect on my confidence,” she added.

Court delivers verdicts  

The court sentenced Brand to nine years in prison for raping a 21-year-old in 2009 at his London home; nine months for grabbing the breasts of a woman at a bar in London in 2004; 18 months for grabbing and kissing a woman before touching her breasts and bottom at the Choice FM studios in London in 2004 or 2005; eight months for sexually assaulting a woman while working on a Channel 4 project in 2009.

Brand was found not guilty of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault.

In his sentencing remarks, Bennathan described Brand as a “sexual predator,” saying his popularity had protected him until 2023 after journalists from Sunday Times, the Times, and Channel 4’s Dispatches outlined a series of misconduct allegations.

Bennathan said Brand believed that his status as a celebrity made him think that he could “act when he liked and how he liked.”

Jemima Goldsmith, Katy Perry share accounts and perspectives

Following the verdict, executive producer Jemima Goldsmith, who had been in a relationship with Brand in 2013-14, praised all the women who came forward to tell their stories despite Brand’s fame.

Sharing her experience with Brand during the time of their relationship, Goldsmith accused him of “violence, coercive control, and abuse.”

“I had to call the police to have him removed from my house in 2014 during a violent incident. I chose not to press charges at the time and not to go public with this, as I was worried about the impact of the press attention on my then teenage children,” she said.

“I am in awe of the courageous women who came forward at Brand’s trial, told their stories, testified and ensured justice was done.”

In 2013, singer Katy Perry shared how her ex-husband was very controlling. Her comments had resurfaced following the court decision.

Brand’s case serves as a ‘wake-up’ call on abuse

Brand had been in the media industry for decades. At age 25, he joined MTV. 

In 2006 and 2008, Brand hosted his own radio show at the BBC. 

Now, at 51, organizations that had been involved with Brand for years are facing questions as to how he stayed in the industry for so long.

The BBC last week released a statement apologizing for the “culture and failings” during the time it had Brand in their network.

According to British Culture Minister Lisa Nandy, Brand’s case was a wake-up call to the industry as she noted how men in power were still exploiting women in the industry.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham promised to bring changes to the legal system to provide more support victims, including setting up teams to handle rape and serious sexual offences.

READ NEXT: Diwali festival makes air in India colourful and toxic