These sexual harassments and sexual assault incidents of famous people are happening on a daily basis. Sexual harassers and sexual incidents roam throughout Hollywood.
This time, the popular and successful Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis is arrested for sexual assault and aggravated personal injury in Italy.
Paul Haggis, Oscar Winning Director Arrested For Sexual Assault
The Variety and other Italian news outlets are publishing the story claiming that the director allegedly attacked and tried to rape a young non-Italian woman. The woman decides to press charges and inform the police of the incident. However, from Haggis’s side, there is no official information regarding the matter.
Paul Haggis is famous for co-writing the Oscar winner “Crash” back in 2006. His personal achievements and portfolio are wide while dispersing over 20+ years of career in the movies industry.
Allegedly, the arrest happened in the Italian city Ostuni after the assaulted woman went to the police and reported the matter. He assaulted her several times in a matter of two days while he was in town attending an entertainment industry event. The report by The Variety includes the public prosecutor’s note on the case.
Silvia Bizio and Sol Costales Doulton introduce the entertainment event that happens in Italy. It will proceed according to plan, regardless of the director’s incident. However, the classes that Haggis should have taught at the event are dismissed and will be skipped. He should have been teaching several master classes on directing.
The organizers of the event did give statements regarding the incident. They share information that they are aware of the situation. That they receive the info “with dismay and shock the news that Paul Haggis is in custody for violence.”
“The art directors of Allora Fest have immediately taken steps to remove all involvement of the film director from the event. They also express their full solidarity and support for the woman involved. The themes chosen for the Festival are, among others, those of equality, gender equality, and solidarity.” – The report states.
“As professionals and as women, the art directors are appalled and hope that the Festival will be a further opportunity to inform and raise awareness about such a present and dramatically increasing issue.” – They add.
The Variety state that according to the report by the Italian Police, Haggis had been accompanying the assaulted woman to the Papola Casale airport in Brindisi. He left her there and went on with his business. According to the report she had been in a “precarious physical and psychological” state. The staff and the border police had to assist her to get back on her feet.
The woman told the police what happened and who sustained her the injuries. She was afterwards accompanied to the Italian mobile police unit in Brindisi. From there she continues to the local hospital to open a report and undergo a physical check. She is a victim of rape, the hospital confirmed.
This is not the first time that the director faces such accusations. Once, back in 2013, the publicist Haleigh Breest sued him for sexually assaulting her.
