When you think about celebrities, you think of glamour, popularity, and fame. Unfortunately, it’s not always the case. These celebrities who you may idolise and love are also humans who make mistakes, sometimes, terrible mistakes. If you think only creepy serial killers can be sex offenders, you’re wrong. From unknown celebrities to A-listers like Mike Tyson, stars have been charged with sex crimes. The crazy thing is that some of them are still active in the entertainment world up to this date. This article will share not only lists of celebrity sex offenders but also the problem with sex crimes.
The Problem With Sex Crimes
Sex crimes aren’t just rape, and it has a diverse category: sexual assault, incest, child pornography, child molestation, indecent exposure, bestiality, and many more. Basically, sex crimes or sex offenses are sexual acts or motives done without consent. A sex crime is a gender-neutral crime, but most victims tend to be women or children.
According to data by RAINN, In the United States, there’s an estimation of more than 463 thousand victims aging 12 or older who are victims of sexual violence (rape and other forms of sexual assault). In addition to another report by Statistica, in 2019, 406,970 women and 52,336 men were raped or sexually assaulted. Especially with the increased internet usage, online sex crimes continue to grow. The government must create better laws when dealing with sex crimes to raise awareness of the importance of protecting society from sex crimes.
A sad reality is that the law and justice system don’t always support and side with the victims. With power, money, and fame, plenty of celebrities could get away and get a slap on the wrist for the sex crimes they committed.
List Of Celebrity Sex Offenders
Is your favorite (hopefully now no longer your favorite) celebrity on the sex offender list? Let’s find out.
- Harvey Weinstein
Harvey’s case was probably one of the most famous celebrity sex crime cases out there. He was accused of sexually assaulting multiple women, although he was only convicted for a couple of them. In February 2020, the American film producer was guilty of a first-degree sexual act and third-degree rape and sentenced to 23 years in prison.
- Danny Masterson
In 2020, actor Danny Masterson was convicted of raping three women. He pleaded not guilty and is currently waiting for his trial. Sources say he could face up to 45 years in prison if found guilty.
- Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson, former boxing champion, was found guilty of rape in 1992. He was accused of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old American beauty pageant in his home. Mike Tyson was found guilty and was sent to 10 years in prison but only served for 3 years and was released in 1995. Up to this date, he has maintained his innocence and is still active in the entertainment world.
- Roman Polanski
Oscar-winning actor Roman Polanski has been accused of sexual assault five times, the latest being in 2017. His most known sexual assault case was in 1979 when he pleaded guilty to statutorily raping then-13-year-old Samantha Geimer. In 2017, Roman Polanski was accused of sexually assaulting Marianne Barnard when she was only a 10-year-old child. He has made weird remarks about young girls like, “everybody wants to f**k young girls.” Not sure how his brain works, but he was never embarrassed about his preference for minors, a.k.a children. It’s disappointing that Hollywood and officials still allow this creepy old man to be in the public eye.
- R Kelly
Sexual assault has been a haunting nightmare for R Kelly since 1990. Despite so, as sexual assault allegations surrounded him, he managed to earn a Grammy for his music. R Kelly is found guilty on all eight counts of sex trafficking and racketeering toward girls and boys and an addition of child pornography and obstruction in a different trial. R Kelly’s sentencing is still an ongoing process as of June 2022. Officials say he should get at least 25 years in prison and a fine between 50 and 250 thousand dollars.
- Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson is another celebrity who is not only known for his art but also for sexual assault accusations. His most recent sexual assault accusation was in 2021 when a star named Evan Rachel Wood broke her silence and exposed Marilyn Manson for sexually assaulting her when she was 18 years old. Four other women also spoke up in solidarity for Evan Rachel Wood, where they experienced horrifying abuse, violence, and coercion. He also, along with Harvey, Roman, and R Kelly, he has a decades-long timeline of sexual assault accusations and charges. However, he is still proudly showing up in the public eye.
Conclusion
The entertainment industry is full of glamour and dark secrets. Celebrities who seem to have perfect lives may be imperfect and grosser than we thought. Plenty of stars have been accused and found guilty of sexual assault but are still able to work in the entertainment industry and even get increasingly popular. People are quick to blame and cancel the victims but give these perpetrators free passes. How many more victims should there be? How much more celebrity sex offenders should there be? To finally have justice and make the world a better place where victims are supported, protected, and get the justice that they deserve. Be careful who you idolise and look up to.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which state has the most sex offenders in the US?
Texas has the most sex offenders in the US.
- How long do rapists get in jail?
Depending on the state’s guidelines, rapists can get one year to life in prison.
- How many male child molesters are there?
About 96% of child molesters are male.
