Actor Kevin Spacey accumulates seven new charges of sexual assault

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The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the UK confirmed that actor Kevin Spacey will have seven new charges against him, including three of indecent assault, three of sexual assault, and one count of forcing sexual activity without consent.

Spacey already has charges against him from another complainant but with the new charges, the total amount to 12. The most recent ones are claimed to have taken place between 2001 and 2004.

After Spacey appeared at The Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, known as Old Bailey, in July, in an attempt to reject five allegations from three men against him, he will be required to show up at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London later. However, he was granted unconditional bail until the next hearing due to take place next year.

Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “The CPS has authorized additional criminal charges against Kevin Spacey, 63, for a number of sexual assaults against one man between 2001 and 2004.

“The CPS has also authorized one charge of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent. The authority to charge follows a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police in its investigation," she said, adding: "The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr. Spacey are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.”

Spacey won a civil lawsuit recently in the US after being accused of an “unwanted sexual advance” at a party in 1986. the actor “categorically denied” the accusations arguing he “did not harbour any sexual interest or desire” at the time or since then. 

Patrick Gibbs QC, the actor's lawyer, stated in an initial court hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June that Spacey “strenuously denies any and all criminality in this case” but has also returned to the UK “to establish his innocence” and “proceed with his life”.

Read more: Harvey Weinstein trial to begin in LA, may face up to 140 years

Spacey was one of the many caught in the Hollywood-exposed campaign of sexual assaults and misconduct, which included Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, and Jeffrey Epstein. Actresses and actors alike have spoken up about the assaults they have faced by them, such as Rose McGowan and Angelina Jolie as part of the #MeToo movement, now marking five years. 

Misogyny and sexual abuse have been a prominent controversy since the #MeToo movement gained momentum in 2017, starting in Hollywood and moving to the fields of politics and sports. This trajectory exposed the toxic and unjust environment that individuals in the US have to deal with all while having to fear risking their careers by submitting to derogatory, abusive, and demeaning ways by individuals who are supposed to be their mentors - be they coaches, directors or bosses.