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A standup comedian’s upcoming show at Centennial Hall has one London women’s advocate asking possible patrons to think about how the survivors of sexual abuse before buying a ticket.
American comedian Chris D’Elia, who has had allegations of sexual abuse, harassment and grooming dog him for several years, is slated to perform his show, “Straight Out of the Multiverse”, at the city hall-owned concert venue on Sept. 14. He has denied any misconduct.
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But Jessie Rodger, executive director of Anova, the London agency that provides shelter and counselling to women, said their concern is what kind of message D’Elia’s show is sending to survivors of sexual violence.
“I often think at these moments what it’s like for the brave folks who come forward and say somebody has harmed them and how that must feel for them knowing that there is little to no consequence for alleged perpetrators of violence,” Rodger said.
Rodger said that a way to show care and concern for survivors is in the way the community consumes media, including the decision to buy a ticket. “This would be one of those moments where you can think who you want to support and who do you want to throw your support behind.”
D’Elia, 44, is best known for TV appearances and recurring roles in “Whitney” and “Undateable” and as a podcast host. He first faced sexual violence accusations in 2020, when several women came forward.
Last year, Rolling Stone magazine did interviews with 10 women who alleged they were preyed upon and four of them said they were teenagers at the time. The allegations included stalking, controlling behaviours and requests for sexual favours, videos and photographs both in person and online in exchange for tickets.
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One of the women who spoke to the reporter said she was forced by D’Elia to perform a sex act in his hotel room after his show in a Canadian city.
D’Elia has denied the allegations and said publicly in 2021 that his sexual encounters were consensual and legal, but also said he had an addiction to sex.
So far, there have been no complaints about D’Elia’s show lodged with Centennial Hall. Attempts to contact Icon Concerts, the promoter of the show based in Los Angeles, were unsuccessful.
Rodger said while there have not been any concerns directed to Anova, they will be believing the women who have come forward with allegations. “I’m going to think about how it would feel if I was a survivor and how I want to support and how I would want community to show up for me.”
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