Russell Brand has been found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a four-week trial in London. He was acquitted on three other charges. The offences occurred nearly two decades ago.
Anastasia Powell, a professor of family and sexual violence at RMIT University, writes that the verdict carries implications beyond Brand himself. In Australia, one in five women has experienced sexual assault since age 15, yet only about 8% report it to police. Of those who do report, very few proceed to court.
Powell notes that legal processes often cause additional harm to survivors. She points to one case highlighted in the trial where a victim initially agreed to sexual activity with Brand but described how he violated her boundaries and continued despite her asking him to stop. The jury's verdict affirms a person's right to withdraw consent at any time.
Powell argues that a guilty verdict can offer important recognition that harm occurred and accountability was assigned. Yet she cautions against assuming criminal conviction always brings closure. The consequences of sexual violence can persist long after proceedings conclude, and survivors may experience additional distress from pursuing justice.
Powell states that accountability takes many forms. Some survivors seek criminal accountability, while others pursue recognition through restorative justice processes or seek apology and commitment to change from perpetrators. She calls for justice systems that are more accessible and trauma-responsive, and for wider community change to ensure sexual violence is taken seriously without blaming survivors.