In a shocking development in the Brazilian entertainment industry, comedian Juliana Oliveira has accused television presenter Otávio Mesquita of rape during a recording of the program The Noite, which aired on SBT. The allegations, which date back to April 25, 2016, involve claims of sexual assault that occurred while Oliveira was working as a stage assistant and producer on the show.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Public Ministry of São Paulo (MP-SP), the incident took place in front of a live audience. The complaint alleges that Mesquita engaged in "lewd acts with the use of physical force" against Oliveira. Images attached to the complaint reportedly show Mesquita touching Oliveira's breasts and genitalia without her consent, even as she attempted to resist.
Oliveira's defense, led by attorney Hédio Silva Jr., argues that the actions of Mesquita constituted rape under Brazilian law, which recognizes sexual violence even in the absence of penetration. "The images clearly demonstrate the use of physical force, as the victim actively fought to free herself from the aggressor, reacting with slaps and kicks," the defense stated.
During the recording, Mesquita allegedly pinned Oliveira with his legs and simulated sexual acts while she tried to help him remove safety equipment. The episode lasted approximately three minutes, during which host Danilo Gentili made a remark suggesting that Oliveira was enjoying the situation, saying, "Juliana is making a face, but I know she liked it." This comment has drawn significant backlash, adding to the controversy surrounding the incident.
In response to the allegations, Mesquita has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, describing the interaction as a "joke informally arranged between them" prior to the recording. He expressed disbelief that the incident, which occurred nearly a decade ago, is being brought to light now, suggesting that Oliveira's motivations are tied to her recent termination from SBT. "It's absurd. That was recorded. She waited nine years to say this because she was fired and is upset," he claimed.
Moreover, Mesquita stated that he had not been formally notified about the complaint and intends to sue Oliveira for damages to his reputation. He emphasized his surprise at the allegations, particularly because he was in the presence of family members during the recording. "My ex-wife and my son were in the audience. There was no rape. It was a joke," he insisted.
As the situation unfolds, Oliveira's legal team is pushing for the MP-SP to formally charge Mesquita with rape. They argue that the public nature of the incident, broadcasted nationwide, has further aggravated the offense to Oliveira's dignity. The defense maintains that the lack of immediate complaints following the airing of the episode does not diminish the severity of the actions taken by Mesquita.
In a recent video posted on his social media, Mesquita expressed his sadness over the situation and reiterated his stance that the scenes were pre-arranged. He apologized if the scenes were misinterpreted but firmly stated that he does not consider the episode a case of rape. "The distance between what happened on stage and rape is gigantic," he said, defending his long-standing career in television without prior controversy.
Oliveira's case has sparked a wider conversation about consent and the treatment of women in the entertainment industry, particularly regarding the normalization of inappropriate behavior. The incident raises critical questions about the power dynamics at play in such environments and the responsibility of those in authority to maintain a safe workplace.
As the investigation continues, both the public and legal communities are closely watching how this case unfolds. The potential implications for Mesquita and the broader entertainment industry could be significant, especially as more individuals come forward with similar allegations in various sectors.
With the support of advocacy groups, Oliveira hopes to shed light on the issues of consent and accountability, aiming to empower other victims to speak out against their abusers without fear of retaliation or disbelief.
