DJ Tim Westwood has been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women
DJ Tim Westwood, 64, is facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct from seven different women, many of whom say the entertainer used his power within the music industry to exploit them.
A new BBC and The Guardian joint investigation sees the women – all of whom are Black – speak out publicly about their experiences, which are said to have occurred between a 25-year period spanning 1992 and 2017. Reports say the women do not know one another.
The alleged offences, which Westwood has strenuously denied, are believed to range from the DJ touching some of the women's bottoms and breasts without consent whilst being photographed, to driving two young aspiring music industry hopefuls to a flat and initiating unwanted sex. One woman says she was 19-years-old at the time, while claiming Westwood was 53.
Another has said that when she was 17-years-old (and Westwood was in his thirties), she was 'subjected to unwanted oral sex after agreeing to meet him'.
Some of the women who have come forward to make the claims work on the music scene today. All of them have requested to remain anonymous, with many citing fears of professional repercussions should they go on record (such is the former BBC Radio 1 DJ's continued influence).
One singer, known as Isabel*, says that she grew up in the Midlands in a strict, religious household and described Westwood as "the main gatekeeper to get to the level of exposure I needed" – and so in 2010, went along to a nightclub the DJ was performing in, in the hopes of handing over a demo.
She alleges that Westwood called her shortly after being passed the mix CD and invited Isabel to meet in central London to 'discuss her career'. When she arrived to the designated meeting spot, she alleges that Westwood was waiting in a car for her, which began driving them out of the city. Isabel then alleges that Westwood exposed himself to her.
"I've looked and I've seen and I'm like, 'Oh, no, oh no, like, oh my God. Just don't say anything. Don't look. Don't say anything.' And I'm hoping that's enough for him to just… not," she states on record.
Isabel then claims she was taken to a flat, which she says she believes belonged to Westwood, where the DJ left the room, returned back completely naked and holding a condom with a picture of his own face on the packet. "I remember that very vividly because I remember that was kind of when my brain also started to shut down," she has said.
The anonymous woman claims Westwood then penetrated her, as she remained "frozen" with fear – "I knew what was going to happen at this point, I remember being hunched up and holding on to the back of the chair, scared".
Afterwards, she says she dropped out of her university studies and pursuing her singing dreams.
Allegations of Westwood taking advantage of young women were previously circulated on social media back in 2020, via an account with the handle @survivingtimwestwood. The DJ released a statement in response describing the allegations as 'fabricated'.
"I can categorically say that I have never had an inappropriate relationship with anyone under the age of 18," he told press. "I am aware of attempts by anonymous sources to make fabricated allegations online. I can confirm that such allegations are false and without any foundation."
To get help with any of the issues discussed in this article, visit: Rape Crisis England & Wales, Rape Crisis Scotland or Rape Crisis Northern Ireland. RASASC provides emotional and practical support for survivors, families and friends. For additional support with mental health, visit Mind.
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