Culture
15 Jan 18

Aziz Ansari releases statement following sexual assault allegations

The Master of None actor and comedian, who recently won a Golden Globe for his show, has released a statement after a woman accused him sexual assault following a date together.

The woman in question called their date "a violating night and a painful one", but Ansari has said that everything that happened during the encounter was "consensual".

The Brooklyn-based photographer, going under the name Grace, told media site Babe that she and the Parks And Recreation actor had met at the 2017 Emmy Awards after-party and exchanged numbers, texting for a week or two before he asked her on a date. She went home with Ansari after going on a date with him in New York where she alleges Aziz put his hand on her breast and kissed her before undressing them both.

She then described Ansari's numerous attempts to have sex with her, despite her using "verbal and non-verbal cues to indicate how uncomfortable and distressed she was."

Grace told Babe: "Most of my discomfort was expressed in me pulling away and mumbling. I know that my hand stopped moving at some points. I stopped moving my lips and turned cold.

"I didn't leave because I think I was stunned and shocked. This was not what I expected. I'd seen some of his shows and read excerpts from his book and I was not expecting a bad night at all, much less a violating night and a painful one." You can read the full interview with Grace .here.

Ansari's statement in full:

"In September of last year, I met a woman at a party. We exchanged numbers. We texted back and forth and eventually went on a date. We went out to dinner, and afterwards we ended up engaging in sexual activity, which by all indications was completely consensual.

"The next day, I got a text from her saying that although 'it may have seemed okay,' upon further reflection, she felt uncomfortable. It was true that everything did seem okay to me, so when I heard that it was not the case for her, I was surprised and concerned. I took her words to heart and responded privately after taking the time to process what she had said.

"I continue to support the movement that is happening in our culture. It is necessary and long overdue."