Own My Life CEO Natalie challenges dangerous comparisons during Talk Breakfast discussion of Russell Brand case

Our CEO Natalie appeared on Talk Breakfast this morning to discuss the conviction of Russell Brand, ahead of his sentencing at Southwark Crown Court. But it was a comparison made during the discussion that prompted Natalie to challenge the way sexual violence against women and girls is too often minimised or diverted.

Following Russell Brand's conviction for one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, today's discussion focused on the significance of the case and the wider issues of sexual violence, abuse of power and accountability.

The convictions relate to offences committed between 2004 and 2009. Brand was also acquitted of two further rape charges and one charge of attempted indecent assault. He has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing.

During the interview, Natalie was challenged by a comparison between Russell Brand's crimes and an incident involving a famous female daytime television presenter who allegedly threw food at a junior male employee and kicked him out of her dressing room.

Natalie felt this comparison was deeply inappropriate given the seriousness of the convictions being discussed.

Taking on LinkedIn following the broadcast, she explained:

"I was on Talk this morning discussing Russell Brand's conviction. While nothing in these sorts of conversations surprises me, to have the presenter make parallels between a famous female daytime presenter throwing food at a junior male employee and kicking him out of her dressing room to Russell Brand raping and sexually assaulting women and girls is frankly not what I had on my discussion points for this morning."

Natalie was particularly concerned by the presenter's subsequent comments, which shifted the conversation towards the difficulties experienced by boys and men working in the entertainment industry.

The presenter said: "It's difficult for kids, it's difficult not just for women, but for boys, men, it's difficult when you start out in this business and something happens to you and the big star walks past, and that's appalling, and that has to change."

Natalie's response was unequivocal.

"For those at the back (or at the front, on the telly), THIS IS NOT THE MOMENT TO SAY IT'S DIFFICULT FOR BOYS AND MEN TOO."

Keeping the focus on women and girls

At Own My Life, we believe that conversations about men's violence against women and girls must remain focused on those harmed, particularly when discussing cases involving rape, sexual assault and the abuse of power.

When we are discussing the rape and sexual assault of women, the focus should be on those women, the harm they men have caused them, the power dynamics that enabled the abuser and the systems that failed to protect them.

Introducing comparisons that dilute or distract from these issues risks taking attention away from the very people whose experiences need to be heard.

Why these conversations matter

The Russell Brand case has brought renewed attention to men's abuse of power, the influence of celebrity and the barriers that can prevent women and girls from speaking out.

It also highlights why we need to challenge the attitudes and behaviours that minimise men's sexual violence, excuse their abusive behaviour or shift the focus away from perpetrators and towards those who have experienced harm.

At Own My Life, we are committed to changing the way society understands abuse and supporting women to recognise what has happened to them, rebuild their lives and move forward.

We need to be able to have conversations about violence against women and girls without constantly having to justify why women and girls are at the centre of them.

That is not excluding anyone. It is recognising the issue we are actually talking about and giving it the attention it deserves.