Brand jailed, Walliams named, MAFS cancelled: TV's week of reckoning

Russell Brand was jailed on Monday for rape and sexual assault, sentenced to ten-and-a-half years by Mr Justice Bennathan. The judge's summing-up line — that women keep the right to say no "whatever women wear, wherever they go, indeed whatever they drink" — has been widely shared online. Within 24 hours, David Walliams was unmasked and accused of preying on young women. By Friday, the Metropolitan Police had launched an investigation into further allegations about him.

Also this week, Married at First Sight UK was cancelled following allegations of rape on the show. Walliams denies the allegations against him, and the men accused of rape and sexual misconduct on MAFS UK have denied all the allegations. Days earlier, a High Court judge rejected an injunction request from Walliams, clearing the way for him to be named.

Gregg Wallace followed a similar arc. The MasterChef presenter was sacked last summer after an independent inquiry upheld dozens of claims against him, mostly about inappropriate sexual language and humour. Wallace said "none of the serious allegations" against him had been upheld, but that he was "deeply sorry for any distress caused".

The pile-up is coincidence more than sudden cultural shift. Each story grew out of a journalistic investigation that began years ago, and Sunday Times columnist Hadley Freeman said the build-up is brutal: "The truth is, these stories have a long build up. It can be incredibly difficult to get [them] in the papers." Brand's case then ran through a police investigation before reaching court.

What has changed is that women — it is almost always women — see others speaking up. Broadcaster Kirsty Wark said that gives them "courage to do the same", and called those who come forward "beyond brave". Much traces back to the Harvey Weinstein revelations and #MeToo, which shifted whether victims expected to be believed; Freeman said there is now "more of a sense that you will now be listened to". But Bectu head Philippa Childs said vulnerable workers "continue to fear raising concerns", and comedian Lucy Beaumont told Sky News that high-profile people stay silent because they lose work.

Legal tools remain a barrier too. Harriet Wistrich of the Centre for Women's Justice said those with wealth or fame often use legal measures to deter alleged victims, and comedian Deborah Frances-White told BBC Radio 4's The World at One that young women are "definitely" still being exploited in comedy. Multiple government ministers spoke against non-disclosure agreements this week and called for tighter restrictions on them. Next week, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy will convene industry leaders to push better safeguarding practices, while Channel 4 bosses are due to appear before MPs on Tuesday.