Russell Brand, the comedian and actor, is currently facing serious allegations of sexual assault. The allegations date back to the period between 2006 and 2013, during which Brand was a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4’s Big Brother spin-off. Among the allegations is an assault on a 16-year-old girl.
As the news unfolds, many are questioning what the next steps will be for both the alleged victims and Brand. To shed light on the legal complexities surrounding cases of this nature, we spoke to Alan Collins, a partner in the sex abuse team at Hugh James Solicitors.
Collins, who has worked on high-profile cases such as those involving Jimmy Savile and Stuart Hall, believes that more alleged victims may come forward. “Once victims see that they are not alone, and that they will be treated seriously, they gain the strength to come forward,” he said. But he emphasises that this is not determinative of veracity. “It’s a big ask to expect an alleged sexual abuse victim to give an account,” Collins added, highlighting the fear many victims have of being ridiculed or disbelieved.
For victims who decide to come forward, Collins assures that they will be taken seriously by the police. Under the Victims Code, steps are taken to enable the victim to give their best account, often with support during the process. “If they go to a specialist lawyer, the aim is to have a holistic approach to enable the victim to make informed decisions about the next steps,” said Collins.
Victims are entitled to anonymity under UK law, a point Collins stresses. “Nothing can be said or printed that leads to the identification of a victim,” he explained. But if a victim chooses to speak to the media and allows their name to be used, anonymity is likely to be lost.
When asked about the likelihood of a court case, Collins says it’s impossible to predict. “Justice can mean different things to different people. Some victims want acknowledgment or an apology, rather than punishment or compensation,” he explained.
Collins also points out the role that media can play in such cases. “In the Stuart Hall case, had there not been publicity of the criminal investigation, many of his victims would not have come forward,” he said. This underscores the importance of a considered media approach in facilitating victims who would have otherwise remained silent to find a voice.
As the allegations against Russell Brand continue to unfold, the legal landscape remains complex. For alleged victims, the decision to come forward is fraught with emotional and legal considerations. However, experts like Alan Collins stress the importance of victims knowing their rights and options, and the role that a responsible media can play in giving them a voice.
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Image credit: Raph PH
