‘It was never your fault’: Cllr Beard speaks out following Russell Brand conviction
The Buncrana councillor has praised the courage of women who came forward and urged anyone affected by sexual violence to seek support.
Inishowen councillor Joy Beard has expressed her support for survivors of sexual violence following the sentencing of Russell Brand, saying her thoughts are with the women whose lives were changed by his actions.
Brand, 51, was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison at Southwark Crown Court in London.
The sentence follows his conviction on Thursday, 5th November, after being found guilty of raping one of his fans and sexually assaulting three women during his showbiz heyday.
The disgraced star preyed on women he encountered while becoming one of Britain’s best-known stand-up comedians, a lauded TV and radio host, and a Hollywood movie star.
Brand, who was previously married to Katy Perry, was found guilty of raping a woman at his London home in 2009, along with three separate sexual assaults committed between 2004 and 2009.
He was cleared of two further charges of rape and one allegation of attempted indecent assault.
In a statement, the 100% Redress councillor highlighted the lasting impact of sexual violence on survivors and the courage required to come forward and have their experiences heard.
"Behind the headlines are women who have carried pain, fear and memories they never asked for. Women who had to revisit some of their darkest moments so their voices could finally be heard."
The Buncrana councillor added that while the sentence could not undo what had happened, she hoped the women involved would find some comfort in being heard and seeing accountability.
Cllr Beard also used the statement to highlight the support available to people in Donegal who have experienced sexual violence, emphasising that what happened was never their fault and that help is available regardless of whether they have spoken publicly about their experiences.
Confidential support services available nationally and locally include The Donegal Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre, which provides counselling and support to people aged 12 and over and can be contacted on 1800 44 88 44 or 074 912 8211.
The Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in Letterkenny, which provides 24-hour assistance, can be contacted on 087 068 1964, as well as Lifeline Inishowen on 086 065 0353 for those experiencing sexual violence within abusive relationships.
Other vital services which can be contacted include the National Rape Crisis Helpline, which provides free and confidential support around the clock on 1800 77 8888, or Women's Aid, which offers support on 1800 341 900.
At the height of his fame, Brand was named The Sun newspaper's Shagger Of The Year three years in a row, with his behaviour towards women often treated as part of his public persona.
He rose to prominence in 2004 when he was chosen to host Big Brother's Big Mouth, before securing his own BBC Radio 2 show and moving into Hollywood, appearing alongside stars including Tom Cruise, Mila Kunis, Jonah Hill and Helen Mirren in films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Arthur and Rock Of Ages.
As his mainstream entertainment career waned, Brand became increasingly involved in political commentary before reinventing himself as a wellness guru and later building an online following through podcasts featuring right-wing political commentary and conspiracy theories.
Concluding her message, Cllr Beard said survivors deserved to be heard, treated with kindness and supported, adding: "It was never your fault."