The “MeToo” movement has been dealt yet another blow, with yet another acquittal of a high-profile celebrity accused of predatory behaviour. In fact, contrary to the mantra of “believe victims”, very few MeToo accusations have passed the test of a court of law.
Craig McLachlan has been found not guilty of indecently assaulting a fellow actor during a Melbourne stage show.
The Gold Logie winner, famous for his roles in Neighbours, Home and Away and The Doctor Blake Mysteries, looked towards the ceiling and exhaled when magistrate Belinda Wallington acquitted him of the first two charges on Tuesday.
Like so many others, McLachlan has been subject to a ruinous public campaign to destroy his name no matter what the courts might say.
He pleaded not guilty to seven charges of indecent assault and six of common assault in relation to seven incidents including an allegation he touched one woman near her genitals during a live show while he was hidden from the audience but she could be seen, an allegation he forced his tongue into another woman’s mouth during an unscripted kiss, and that he twice kissed another co-star when backstage.
He was also accused of running his hand up the leg of a fourth woman while she was performing in a scene and he was hidden from the audience.
McLachlan maintained his innocence through a contested hearing that began last year.
He denied some of the incidents happened – including the allegations he indecently assaulted the women while they were performing – and maintained those that did were consensual or in the spirit of the show. He and his lawyers argued that McLachlan was given a licence to improvise during the show[…]They submitted the women were unreliable witnesses whose accounts were inconsistent, fabricated and possibly the result of collusion from discussions in the years afterwards.
Producer Harvey Weinstein remains as one of the few high-profile “MeToo” accused to ever be actually convicted in a court of law – as opposed to trial-by-media.
Last year, actor Geoffrey Rush was found to have been defamed by newspaper articles accusing him of being “a pervert and a sexual predator”. In South Korea, an elementary school vice-principal indicted for sexual harassment for holding a girl’s hand and patting her shoulder during a counseling session was finally acquitted by the Supreme Court. Even actor Kevin Spacey has seen every charge against him dropped or dismissed – in at least one case, with prejudice.
But the real punishment in each case has been the process. Any number of men, from actors to teachers, politicians and ordinary family men, have had their careers ruined and lives ruined by vindictive harpies and a complicit media. Some have committed suicide – including female celebrity Caroline Flack.
The actor has also begun defamation action against The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, the ABC and one of the women over news reports last year that alleged he engaged in sexual misconduct, harassment and indecent assault during the production.
The defamation proceedings were adjourned until the criminal case was completed.
Sydney Morning Herald
In all likelihood, Craig McLachlan’s acting career is dead – but at least, some of those responsible might be made to pay up for the damage they’ve inflicted.
Please share this article so that others can discover The BFD
