The last few months have seen the rise of huge international movements including #MeToo and #TimesUp, which intend to shine a light on the sexual assault that many around the world suffer, while their abusers, who often escape without any retribution, see the appropriate recourse.
As these movements have gained momentum, a large number of individuals within the entertainment industry have been accused of assault and abuse, while the media industry has tried its best to aid those who have suffered. Now, the latest person to be accused of improper behaviour is comedian and noted feminism activist Aziz Ansari.
Recently, an interview appeared on the feminist website babe in which a 23-year-old photographer explained how a date she went on with Ansari quickly became “by far the worst experience with a man [she] ever had.”
I talked to a girl who says she went on a date with @azizansari in an exclusive for @babedotnet. She told me, “It was by far the worst experience with a man I’ve ever had.” I believe her. #TimesUp #MeToo #AzizAnsari https://t.co/p7q0fjSsh0
— Katie Way (@k80way) January 13, 2018
The person interviewed, referred to only as Grace, claimed that the pair met at an Emmy Awards after-party in 2017, which saw them bond over their lover of photography, and organised to meet up for a date at a later time. However, Grace has since referred to the date as “the worst night of [her] life.”
Grace claimed that following an initial meeting at Ansari’s apartment, and a whirlwind dinner at a New York restaurant, the pair travelled back to his apartment where he reportedly began “undressing her, then he undressed himself.”
Following a sexual encounter which allegedly involved Grace’s repeated attempts to halt his advances, Ansari reportedly kept trying to initiate further contact, despite Grace noting that “she used verbal and non-verbal cues to indicate how uncomfortable and distressed she was.”
Grace explains that the evening eventually ended, but not before she was allegedly forced to perform further sex acts, despite reportedly telling Ansari, “I don’t want to feel forced because then I’ll hate you, and I’d rather not hate you.”
“I cried the whole ride home,” Grace said of her trip back to her apartment. “At that point I felt violated. That last hour was so out of my hand.”
The following day, Grace allegedly sent Ansari a text message explaining how uncomfortable he had made her the previous night. “I just want to take this moment to make you aware of [your] behavior and how uneasy it made me,” Grace explained, only for Ansari to respond: “Clearly, I misread things in the moment and I’m truly sorry.”
Aziz Ansari is yet to respond to these allegations levied against him.
If you or somebody you care for has experienced sexual assault, contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 to speak to a counsellor.
