Media Abuse

Lisa Nandy said she believed sexual abuse and exploitation remained a significant problem in the media industry, after the conviction of former comedian and presenter Russell Brand for rape and sexual assault. Asked whether she still thought there was a problem, she said she did and that some women had contacted her directly, including from the BBC. She said the BBC had signed up to an industry body to protect whistleblowers but could do more, and that institutions in public life had not changed enough in how they protect women who allege abuse.

Nandy said she takes a firm line when she hears of older people, generally men in positions of power, abusing younger people, generally women. She said that if she had to bet, she would say such abuse was still happening. BBC News reported she also said women often worked on short-term contracts with little job security.

Russell Brand was convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others. He was due to be sentenced the following day and was also being investigated over rape claims by two other women. BBC News reported that police had said they would expect other victims to come forward.