More police action against Russell Brand in much discussed sexual assault allegations

Russell Brand is facing a second criminal investigation in connection to allegations of harassment and stalking.

The 48-year-old comedian and actor has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, which has been said to be similar to the case against influencer Andrew Tate or that of Julian Assange.

On Monday, it emerged Thames Valley police were investigating claims made by a woman who contacted the force two weeks ago with “new information” about “harassment and stalking”. Brand lives in Oxfordshire, within the Thames Valley catchment.

There have been inquiries from the UK government directed at social media companies regarding Russell Brand's ability to generate revenue from his content on their platforms.

Allegations of sexual assault against Brand by four women are currently under investigation by the BBC, Channel 4, and a production firm. These allegations span a seven-year period during the height of Brand's fame, detailing instances of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse. The BBC has expressed urgency in addressing the issues raised by the report on Brand.

Brand on the defensive?

In response to the sexual assault allegations, Brand uploaded a video on his social media channels, where he criticized major tech and media companies, accusing them of bias and censorship. However, he did not directly address the allegations against him in the video. One of his accusers found his response to be "insulting," and a PR expert criticized Brand's defense, suggesting it did not portray him as a "believable person."

Recent reports also highlight the UK creative sectors' need for "critical intervention" in light of the allegations against Brand. Brand, in a separate video, claimed that the government aimed to censor him, though he did not provide supporting evidence for this claim. It is essential to clarify that the ongoing investigations into the allegations are being led by the BBC, Channel 4, and a production firm, not the government.

YouTube has taken action against Brand's channel by demonetizing it, meaning he will no longer earn money from videos on the platform. This decision follows the detailed sexual assault allegations against him in various reports. Despite denying the allegations, Brand's channel has been demonetized on YouTube. While this impacts his ability to earn from the platform, he has not been banned.

The role played by YouTube

YouTube enforces its monetization policies to determine which channels to demonetize. These policies require creators to maintain respect towards viewers, fellow creators, and advertisers both within and outside the YouTube platform. Violation of these policies may lead to the suspension or permanent disabling of monetization on the creator's accounts.

The video streaming channel maintains strict guidelines to ensure content is suitable for advertisers, demonetizing videos or channels that breach these guidelines. Creators must adhere to the Creator Responsibility policy, encompassing YouTube's Community Guidelines, Terms of Service, Copyright and Rights Clearance Adjustment policies, and Google AdSense program policies if they wish to monetize their content on the platform.

The allegations against Russell Brand have sparked significant inquiries and investigations, both within the entertainment industry and in the realm of social media.

The involvement of the UK government in questioning social media companies about Brand's content monetization highlights the gravity and far-reaching implications of the allegations.

The ongoing investigations by reputable organizations like the BBC and Channel 4 emphasize the need for a thorough examination of the allegations and a commitment to ensuring accountability and justice.