Disney Accused of Failing to Protect Child Star from On-Set Assault

Former child star Raquel Lee Bolleau is accusing Disney of failing to protect her from sexual assault on the set of its 2001 movie 'The Poof Point'.

Bolleau, who was 14 at the time, alleges that a male Disney employee repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted her over several days while filming in Utah. The alleged attacker, identified as 'John Doe' in the lawsuit, is described as an adult male employee of Disney who was more than twice Bolleau's age.

The lawsuit claims that Disney employees witnessed the abuse but failed to intervene, and instead attacked and blamed Bolleau for her behavior, which had changed due to the trauma. The studio allegedly prioritized protecting the accused perpetrator over supporting the victim.

Bolleau's allegations come as part of a growing trend of child performers speaking out about the pressures and abuse they faced in the industry. Despite increased protections and advocacy for child performers, Bolleau's lawsuit highlights the inconsistencies in safeguarding measures and the need for stronger support systems.