In the ‘lads’ culture of the Noughties, convicted rapist Russell Brand hid in plain sight. David Walliams - another performer rising to fame in that period - has been accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old schoolgirl and abusing his celebrity to groom teenage girls for sex. He denies the claims and has not been charged with any wrongdoing. In a statement he said ‘I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law, but I am devastated that some of the women I met 10 to 20 years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me.' So how did the Noughties help shape and excuse predatory conduct? And is the fightback of women and girls finally on - are they finally being believed?
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory
Guest: Sarah Ditum, contributor, The Times, and author of Toxic: Women, Fame and the Noughties
Host: Manveen Rana
Producers: Olivia Case and Robyn Simon
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com
Read more: What we women felt as the verdicts came in against Russell Brand
Further listening: New Allegations | The Trial of Russell Brand Ep. 23
Clips: Channel 4 / The Russell Brand Show, TFI Friday / Channel 4, CNN, Radio Baloney / YouTube, The Oprah Winfrey Show / ABC, Entertainment Tonight, BBC, MTV, SKY, Ovo Luther / YouTube / UN Women
Photo: Getty Images
","author_name":"The Times"}