Tag: Sexual Abuse

All the latest breaking news on sexual abuse in the LGBT+ community. Browse The THEGAYUK’s complete collection of features and commentary on sexual abuse in the LGBT+ community.

  • COMMENT | Move the first brick and the wall of silence tumbles like a House of Cards

    Move the first brick from a wall of silence and it tumbles Like a House of Cards, like the world of Kevin Spacey must be doing right now.

    Anthony Rapp spoke out, feeling empowered following the allegations made against Harvey Weinstein. Rapp’s claims against Kevin Spacey may have unleashed the gay parallel.  Now young men are queuing up, to make disclosure of encounters of predatory behaviour and grooming.

    The Old Vic where Kevin Spacey was artistic director 2004-2015 has set up a confidential email address and is using external advisers.

    It seems the qualifying criteria of being a man under 30 could mean many may have been approached who have yet to come forward, though there is already a steady stream of allegation across 2 continents.

    Will this torrent stop at just Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey or are there other actors and perhaps even female actors who are not sleeping too well at the moment waiting to be contacted by the press to rebut an allegation of predatory or abusive behaviour against them.

    In the UK, we have seen the fall from grace of many a celebrity following the Jimmy Saville allegations and subsequently operation Yew Tree. Is there a need for a similar in-depth investigation into the glitzy underbelly of the American movie world to protect child actors, to protect women, and to protect men?

    The boundaries of decency and morally appropriate behaviour seem to have been crossed. In a world where there is a blurring of the boundaries between fantasy, and reality and life plays out like a “soap opera” is it time for the law to take definitive action and draw the line?

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  • Old Vic Theatre, where Kevin Spacey was Artistic Director releases statement: “deeply dismayed”

    Bosses at Old Vic Theatre are “deeply dismayed” on hearing the allegations against Kevin Spacey.

    The theatre for which Kevin Spacey was the artistic director from 2004 to 2015 has released a statement and is now offering support to anyone who might have been unable to come forward with their own allegations.

    Bosses at the theatre said they were “deeply dismayed to hear the allegations levied against Kevin Spacey”.

    They went on to affirm their position on “inappropriate behaviour” by saying,

    “Inappropriate behaviour by anyone working at The Old Vic is completely unacceptable. We aim to foster a safe and supportive environment without prejudice, harassment or bullying of any sort, at any level, as set out in our joint statement with the theatre industry on 23 October. We want our employees to feel confident, valued and proud to be part of The Old Vic family. Any behaviour we become aware of which contravenes these goals will not be tolerated”.

    Is it not clear whether there have been further allegations against Spacey whilst he was the theatre’s artistic director.

    A confidential email has been set up for anyone they say might not have felt able to raise complaints in the past. They added, “Any experience shared will be treated in the utmost confidence and with sensitivity. We have appointed external advisors to help us deal with any information received”.

    Since the allegations of “sexual advances” was revealed yesterday, Netflix has announced that its flagship programme, House Of Cards for which Spacey is both a star and exec producer, will end after its sixth season, which is currently in production.

  • 13 Reasons Why Actor, Tommy Dorfman reveals he was sexually abused as a teenager

    Tommy Dorfman just revealed he was sexually assaulted as a teenager.

    Taking to Twitter, 13 Reasons Why actor, Tommy Dorfman, 24,  revealed that he was a victim of sexual assault and abuse that happened to him a decade ago, when he was just 14. He said that his abuser was 27 years old.

    The star, who married his husband last year, stood in solidarity with Anthony Rapp who alleged that Kevin Spacey had made “sexual advances” towards him when he was also just 14, whilst he was performing in a Broadway show.

    Dorfman wrote on Twitter, “As a person who was sexually asulted [sic] and abused at 14 by a 27 year old, I applaud @albinokid for his courage. It’s scary to speak out.”

    Tommy Dorfman rose to aim in the Netflix teen-drama, 13 Reasons Why, which has been renewed for a second series. He joins a long list of stars who are now coming forward about their abuse from those in positions of power in the entertainment industry.