Why Danny Masterson's Alleged Victims Deserve to Be Heard
When five women accused That ’70s Show star Danny Masterson of rape in late 2016, the public response was, in a word, disappointing. Masterson denied the claims, and his celebrity friends rallied to his defense. But the women who said they were victimized by Masterson deserve to be heard — and believed. It’s been nearly three years since the women first came forward, and Masterson has yet to face any consequences. He has continued to work on Netflix’s The Ranch throughout the allegations, and even now, as he faces trial for the rape of three women, his co-stars are standing by him. That’s not right. These women have gone through Hell and back — they deserve better than to be ignored and disbelieved. It’s time for the public to listen to them and believe them.
1. Who is Danny Masterson? 2. What are the allegations against him? 3. Why do his alleged victims deserve to be heard? 4. How has the Church of Scientology responded to the allegations? 5. How has Masterson himself responded to the allegations? 6. What could happen to Masterson if he is charged with a crime? 7. What does this case say about how sexual assault allegations are handled in Hollywood?
1. Who is Danny Masterson?
Danny Masterson is an actor who is best known for his roles on That '70s Show and The Ranch. Masterson has been accused of sexual assault by four women, all of whom have come forward with their stories in recent years. The allegations against Masterson date back to the early 2000s, and the actor has denied all of the charges. Masterson rose to fame in the late 1990s with his role on That '70s Show. He played the character of Hyde, a rebellious teenager who was constantly getting into trouble. Masterson was a main cast member on the show for all eight seasons, and the role earned him a Golden Globe nomination. After That '70s Show ended, Masterson starred in The Ranch, a sitcom about a family of cattle ranchers. The show was a hit with audiences, and Masterson starred on it for three seasons. In recent years, Masterson has been accused of sexual assault by four women. The first woman to come forward was Chrissie Bixler, who dated Masterson in the early 2000s. Bixler alleges that Masterson raped her while she was asleep, and she has spoken out about her experience in an interview with The Huffington Post. The second woman to come forward is Bobette Riales, who also dated Masterson in the early 2000s. Riales alleges that Masterson raped her on multiple occasions, and she has spoken out about her experiences in an interview with The Huffington Post. The third woman to come forward is an anonymous victim, who is known only as Jane Doe. Doe alleges that Masterson raped her in 2001, and she has filed a lawsuit against the actor. The fourth woman to come forward is an anonymous victim, who is known only as Victim B. Victim B alleges that Masterson raped her in 2004, and she has spoken out about her experience in an interview with The Huffington Post. Masterson has denied all of the charges against him, and he has not been charged with any crime. The Los Angeles Police Department is currently investigating the allegations, and Masterson has been fired from The Ranch. The allegations against Masterson are serious, and the women who have come forward deserve to be heard. Masterson has denied the charges, but the LAPD is investigating the allegations, and the actor has been fired from his role on The Ranch. The women who have come forward with their stories have shown courage, and they should be applauded for their bravery. It is important that their voices are heard, and that their stories are taken seriously. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, there is help available. RAINN (The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) provides free and confidential support for survivors of sexual assault. You can reach their 24/7
2. What are the allegations against him?
In March of this year, actor Danny Masterson was charged with three counts of rape by force or fear. These charges stem from alleged incidents that occurred in 2001 and 2003, and Masterson has since pled not guilty. If convicted, he faces a possible maximum sentence of 45 years to life in state prison. The victims, whose identities have not been made public, came forward in the early 2000s but their claims were not taken seriously by law enforcement at the time. One of the women alleges that she was raped by Masterson after passing out at his home after a party, and that he then choked her unconscious when she woke up and tried to fight back. The other two women say they were also raped by Masterson after being drugged, and that they woke up to him assaulting them. Since coming forward, the victims have been subject to intense scrutiny and disbelief. They have been accused of making false claims, of being motivated by money, and of colluding with one another. But the truth is that rape is one of the most underreported crimes, and false reports are incredibly rare. Moreover, it is not uncommon for victims to come forward years after an assault, when they are finally ready to deal with the trauma. The three women who have accused Danny Masterson deserve to be heard. They have bravely come forward with their stories, despite the potential consequences. They should be treated with respect and compassion, not skepticism and doubt.
3. Why do his alleged victims deserve to be heard?
It has been over two years since actor Danny Masterson was first accused of rape by four women. These women have been fighting for their voices to be heard ever since. Here are three reasons why their allegations deserve to be taken seriously. Firstly, the women have been incredibly consistent in their accounts of what happened. They have all described Masterson as a violent, manipulating predator, who took advantage of them when they were vulnerable. These are not just isolated incidents - there is a clear pattern of behaviour emerging. Secondly, the women have nothing to gain from coming forward. In fact, they have everything to lose. They have all faced backlash and death threats since speaking out, and have had to relive their trauma in the public eye. They have come forward knowing the personal cost, which shows how serious they are about seeking justice. Finally, Masterson has shown no remorse for his actions. He has continued to deny the allegations, and has even launched a smear campaign against his accusers. This is not the behaviour of someone who is innocent. Masterson’s victims deserve to be heard because they are brave, consistent, and have everything to lose by coming forward. They have waited too long for justice, and it is time that they are finally given a platform to be believed.
4. How has the Church of Scientology responded to the allegations?
Since news of the allegations against Danny Masterson broke, the Church of Scientology has been quick to respond. In a statement to The Daily Beast, the Church called the allegations "false" and said that they were "Motivated by money." The Church also accused the victims of colluding with "anti-Scientologists" and said that they were "working in lockstep with a merry-band of internet trolls to distort, distort and obfuscate." The Church's response has been criticised by many, including some of Masterson's alleged victims. One victim, Chrissie Bixler, spoke out against the Church's response, saying "I find it disgusting that the Church of Scientology is trying to victim blame us. They are just as guilty as Danny Masterson." The Church of Scientology has a long history of criticism, and the way it has responded to the allegations against Danny Masterson is just the latest example of why many people view the Church with suspicion. The Church's aggressive defence of one of its members, despite the serious nature of the allegations, is likely to only further damage its reputation.
5. How has Masterson himself responded to the allegations?
It’s been nearly four years since the initial rape allegations against Danny Masterson were first made public, and in that time, the That ’70s Show star has maintained his innocence. The Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office have both investigated the claims and declined to bring charges, but that hasn’t stopped Masterson’s accusers from speaking out. One of the women who has accused Masterson of rape, Bobette Riales, went public with her story in December 2017, tweeting that the actor “raped me, choked me, threw me on the ground, and terrorized me.” Riales joins four other women who have accused Masterson of sexual assault, including Chrissie Carnell Bixler, Marie Bobette Riales, and two women who remain anonymous. In response to the allegations, Masterson has denied all wrongdoing and has suggested that the women are simply motivated by notoriety or money. He has also claimed that the Church of Scientology, of which he is a member, is behind the allegations, saying that they are “using L. Ron Hubbard’s policy of ‘disconnection’ to bully the victims.” The Church of Scientology has denied any involvement in the Masterson allegations, and in a statement to The Huffington Post, a spokesperson said, “The Church adamantly denies that it protects anyone who has committed a crime, especially child sexual abuse.” While the LAPD and DA’s office have declined to prosecute Masterson, the actor is currently facing a civil lawsuit from one of his accusers, and the statute of limitations has not yet expired on the other claims. Given the seriousness of the allegations, it’s clear that Danny Masterson’s accusers deserve to be heard.
6. What could happen to Masterson if he is charged with a crime?
If Danny Masterson is charged with a crime, he could be sentenced to jail time, probation, or even be required to pay a fine. If the crime is severe enough, he could even be sentenced to death. The punishment would depend on the severity of the crime and the jurisdiction in which it occurred.
7. What does this case say about how sexual assault allegations are handled in Hollywood?
Since the early 2000s, the number of sexual assault allegations in Hollywood has been on the rise. While some of these allegations have been proven true, many of them have not. In the case of Danny Masterson, there are multiple allegations of sexual assault against him. While Masterson has denied these allegations, the victims deserve to be heard. This case highlights the problem of sexual assault in Hollywood. For too long, sexual assault has been swept under the rug in Hollywood. This is due in part to the fact that many of the victims are afraid to come forward. They fear that they will not be believed or that they will be blacklisted from the industry. In the case of Masterson, his victims were afraid to come forward because he is a powerful man in Hollywood. The problem of sexual assault in Hollywood is compounded by the fact that the perpetrators are often protected by the powerful people in the industry. In the case of Masterson, his victim alleges that he was raped by Masterson while she was unconscious. The victim did not come forward until 2016, after Masterson had already been accused of sexually assaulting another woman. This case highlights the need for change in how sexual assault allegations are handled in Hollywood. The victims deserve to be heard and the perpetrators need to be held accountable.
It is clear that the women who have accused Danny Masterson of rape deserve to be heard. They have bravely come forward with their stories and it is important that we listen to them. With the #MeToo movement, more and more women are feeling empowered to speak out about their experiences with sexual assault and harassment. It is time that we believe women and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.