Recent allegations concerning comedian, actor children’s author and television personality David Walliams have once again brought the issues of grooming, sexual misconduct and the exploitation of power into the public spotlight.

A joint investigation by ITV News and The Guardian, which was published on 10 November 2026 following the loss by Walliams and his legal team in a High Court ruling for an injunction to block publication of the allegations, reports multiple women complaints regarding Walliams' conduct towards teenage girls and young women.

In the report, some women allege that they were approached when they were as young as 15, with allegations including grooming and sexual assault. Other allegations concern inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment in professional settings where they worked with Walliams.

Notably, the accounts published in the report describe encounters spanning several years. One woman, referred to as Alex, recalls meeting Walliams at a fan event when she was a young teenager. She says following the event Walliams subsequently contacted her directly, initially discussing her aspirations to become a comedy writer and encouraging her to send him scripts. She alleges that contact continued over a period of time, with their communications later taking a more personal and sinister direction. Another woman, referred to as Jade, alleges that Walliams first contacted her through social media when she was also 15. She describes meeting him for coffee, during which he allegedly asked about her sexual experiences, before later kissing and sexually touching her without her wanting this to happen. She recalls feeling uncomfortable and withdrawing from the situation. The investigation also includes accounts from other women who describe similar alleged inappropriate, sexual advances as well as the same nature of conduct in professional environments, including within the entertainment and publishing industries.

It remains to be seen if any of the women spoken to by journalists will ask the police to investigate allegations and whether the police and Crown Prosecution Service assess the evidence as sufficient to result in charges being brought against David Walliams.

Walliams has denied the allegations, including any criminal wrongdoing. The reporting raises wider questions about the abuse of trust, the influence of celebrity and professional status, and the difficulties individuals can face when attempting to speak out about sexual abuse.

The exploitation of trust and power

Grooming is often associated with the tactical building of trust and emotional connection with a person, with the intention of sexual contact and/or exploitation.

In cases where an individual holds a particularly powerful position of influence, whether through celebrity, professional standing, employment or another position of authority, the imbalance of power can make it even more difficult for someone younger or more vulnerable to recognise what is happening as abuse.

Furthermore, the allegations reported in relation to David Walliams highlight the importance of looking beyond an individual's public reputation or professional achievements. Someone's status should never place them beyond scrutiny, and no individual should feel that their position makes them untouchable. The High Court has reinforced this view in their ruling to end the injunction.

Why survivors can find it difficult to come forward

It goes without saying that speaking about sexual abuse can be an incredibly difficult experience. This can be for many reasons, and as well as other factors, survivors may feel embarrassed, ashamed, frightened or uncertain about whether they will be believed. Where the alleged perpetrator is someone well-known these feelings can be compounded by concerns about the consequences of speaking out, most notably:

• Being dismissed.
• Facing publicity.
• The financial and legal resources available to the alleged perpetrator.
• Losing employment/professional opportunities.
• The impact on family relationships and personal circumstances.
• Having to relive the experience of abuse.

Particularly in abuse of power/grooming cases, we know by the very nature of them that individuals may not fully understand the nature of their experiences until many years later. Others may recognise what happened but feel unable to disclose it until they have reached a point in their lives where they feel sufficiently safe to do so.

There is no single way in which a survivor responds to abuse, and there is no correct timescale for coming forward. Everyone’s situation is different and it is important to say that talking about it later doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, nor does it automatically prevent them from exploring other legal options.

Who can be held responsible for sexual abuse?

A civil compensation claim may, depending on the circumstances, be brought against the individual responsible for the abuse.

However, there may also be circumstances in which an organisation or institution can be held legally responsible.

For example, an organisation may be liable where:

• It failed to take appropriate steps to protect you.
• Concerns or complaints about an individual's behaviour were ignored.
• It failed to respond appropriately to warning signs or previous allegations.
• An individual committed abuse in circumstances where the organisation may be legally responsible for their actions.

The legal principles surrounding institutional liability and vicarious liability can be complex. Responsibility will depend on the relationship between the organisation and the individual, the circumstances in which the abuse occurred and the applicable legal principles. Every case will turn on its own facts, and this is why advice from a specialist abuse solicitor should be sought to discuss the individual circumstances of your case to assess whether you have recourse to pursue a claim in the civil courts.

What can I do if I have faced abuse in this way?

Stories involving high-profile individuals can bring difficult experiences back to the surface for people who have experienced sexual abuse themselves. We recognise most abusers aren’t well know but still need to be brought to justice.

For some, seeing allegations reported publicly may reinforce feelings that their own experiences were never properly acknowledged. For others, it may provide the reassurance that they are not alone and that there are avenues through which they can seek support and accountability.

At Switalskis, we understand that coming forward about sexual abuse can be extremely difficult. We approach these cases with sensitivity, confidentiality, discretion and an understanding of the impact abuse can have on every aspect of a person's life.

If you experienced sexual abuse, whether recently or many years ago, you may still have options available to you.

Contact Hannah Hodgson at hannah.hodgson@switalskis.com or Danielle Vincent at danielle.vincent@switalskis.com specialist sexual abuse claims team for a confidential, no-obligation discussion about your circumstances and the legal options available.