Overview of ABC News Daily: How Many More Russell Brands Are Out There?
ABC’s Sam Hooley speaks with Sydney Morning Herald columnist Jacqueline Maley about Russell Brand’s conviction and 10½-year prison sentence for rape and sexual assaults against four women between 2004 and 2009. They examine how his fame and public persona helped enable his behaviour, how journalism prompted women to contact police, and whether the case will encourage others to speak out.
The Case and the Role of Journalism
The judge described Brand as a sexual predator who believed fame gave him permission to disregard other people’s boundaries. He also praised the women’s determination in giving evidence, after they had been challenged in court and accused of lying or consenting.
Maley says reporting by the Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 brought the allegations to public attention. Brand’s defence argued the coverage undermined his right to a fair trial, a claim echoed by some supporters. But, Maley says, the reporting also helped women feel able to approach police; complaints began after the investigation aired.
Fame, Public Persona and Enabling Cultures
The discussion looks back at Brand’s provocative celebrity image, which Maley says was part of his appeal during the 2000s. His sexual comments and conduct toward women were visible in public appearances, and he described his behaviour in his 2007 memoir. The episode also recalls a 2013 onstage joke about rape and comedian Catherine Ryan’s account of confronting him in 2018.
Maley argues that influential people can repeat abusive behaviour when workplaces and institutions protect them or treat misconduct as part of a profitable, unconventional persona. Several assaults in the case involved women in their workplaces, where they felt they would not be believed if they complained. The episode notes that the #MeToo movement has changed expectations in many professional settings.
What May Follow
Hooley and Maley consider whether Brand’s conviction will prompt more women to come forward. They note that allegations against other prominent entertainers remain in public discussion. Maley cites allegations concerning David Walliams, which he has denied, and HarperCollins’ decision to drop him as a publisher.
The episode closes by directing people who need support to 1-800-RESPECT in Australia: 1800 737 732.