A woman who claimed she was anally raped by Russell Brand shared harrowing new details of the encounter during the actor’s sentencing.
“One of the most distressing aspects following the incident was the fear that I may have contracted HIV,” the victim said in a statement read in a London court on Monday, November 9, before Brand, 51, was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison for the rape and sexual assault of four women. (Brand maintained his innocence throughout the trial and pleaded not guilty before his conviction earlier this month.)
“This fear had a profound effect on my mental health,” the unidentified woman continued in her statement, which was read by prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones. “I underwent treatment and testing and then had to endure a three-month wait for the results. During that period, I experienced significant anxiety and distress. After the incident, I was in considerable physical pain and required medical examination.”
The woman claimed that Brand raped her at his London townhouse after he picked her out from a crowd after a gig at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2009. She said in her statement that she felt “anxious, humiliated and overwhelmed” after the incident and “struggled to eat and sleep.”
“The impact extended into my working life and future ambitions. What happened significantly affected my confidence and ultimately influenced my career path and ambitions,” she added. “The incident also affected my day-to-day life. I became hypervigilant and frequently found myself analysing the behaviour and demeanour of other people. I often felt on edge and avoided certain situations.”
Elsewhere in her statement, the victim said Brand’s public profile had a “significant impact,” noting that she put off reporting the incident out of fear that no one would believe her.
“His fame, wealth and influence created a power imbalance which made me feel powerless. I did not have the confidence to challenge someone who appeared so powerful, rich and influential,” she said.
The victim also noted that she found it “upsetting” to be depicted by the defense as “merely an obsessive fan.”
“That portrayal does not reflect who I am,” she said. “I had my own ambitions, goals and aspirations, and it has been deeply hurtful to be labelled in that way.”
She concluded, “The consequences of what happened have affected almost every aspect of my life. Even now, I continue to experience anxiety, difficulties with trust, reduced confidence and the lasting effects of trauma.”
The victim is one of multiple women who accused Brand of sexual assault, rape and emotional abuse between 1999 and 2013. Additional statements were read in court on Monday, with one accuser claiming she felt like “damaged goods” after Brand assaulted her in 2004.
Days before his sentencing, Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault on Thursday, November 5. He was acquitted of three other charges.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
