Disney Sued Over Alleged Failure to Protect Child Star from Sexual Assault

Former Disney Channel child star Raquel Lee Bolleau has filed a lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company, alleging that she was repeatedly sexually assaulted by a male employee while filming the 2001 Disney Channel Original Movie The Poof Point at age 14.

Bolleau, who performed under the name Raquel Lee, claims that the employee supplied her with alcohol and assaulted her multiple times during production in Salt Lake City. The alleged assailant was an adult male Disney employee involved in the production, according to the complaint.

The lawsuit accuses Disney of failing to supervise and protect Bolleau despite warning signs that something was wrong. It alleges that adults on set blamed Bolleau for her deteriorating performance and behavior, saying she was 'out of control' and accused of needing Jesus. The company allegedly threatened to cancel another role planned for Bolleau.

Bolleau's attorneys, Douglas Wigdor and Jane Kim, stated that adults who abuse child performers and those who enable that conduct must be held accountable. Bolleau has previously spoken about the emotional difficulties she faced as a result of her experiences in the entertainment industry.