Russell Brand
Photo: Getty Images, Carl Court. All rights reserved.
In the wake of abuse allegations made against actor and comedian Russell Brand, YouTube has suspended monetization of his channel. “If a YouTuber’s behavior outside of the platform harms our users, employees or our ecosystem, we take action,” a company spokesperson said.
The actor violated the “Creator Responsibility Policy” with the actions he was accused of. Four women accuse Brand of sexually abusing, raping and emotionally abusing them over a seven-year period. The allegations were first made public in a collaboration between The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches. Since then, the London Met Police are said to have received another statement against Brand. “On Sunday, September 17th, the [London Met Police] “a report of a sexual assault which is alleged to have taken place in Soho, central London, in 2003,” the Met said in a statement. “Police are in contact with the woman and will offer her support.”
The actor denies all allegations.
Additionally, Brand’s upcoming stand-up shows in the UK will be postponed. “Bluebird”, the publisher through which his books are distributed, is also pausing its collaboration with the actor.