Danny Masterson rape accusers speak out against Church of Scientology
On the series finale of Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, two alleged rape victims shared their story. Chrissie Bixler and Bobette Riales claimed that while dating That 70’s Show star Danny Masterson, he drugged and raped them. They also claimed the Church of Scientology tried to silence them when they sought justice. During an interview, Bixler revealed the details that led to her break-up with Masterson, whom she had been dating for 6 years. In December of 2001, Bixler claims Masterson drugged her and then sexually assaulted her. When she awoke in the home that they shared, she said “The back of my head hurt, and I thought I'd fallen, but I didn't understand. It almost felt like I was poisoned...I'm in a lot of pain, I'm bleeding I was ripped, It was injured, I said [to Masterson], ‘What happened?’ And he started laughing and he said, ‘Oh, I had sex with you last night.’” Since both Bixler and Masterson were Scientologists, she reported the crime to an “ethic’s officer” at the Celebrity Centre. The ethic’s officer told her she couldn’t have been raped because she was in a relationship with Masterson. Celebrity members of the church are given special provisions. Bixler recalled, “My job as his girlfriend was to give myself to him whenever he wanted. I cannot say, no. I lay there and take it.” Bixler says she was gaslighted and manipulated into believing she hadn’t been raped until she revealed her story to her husband, musician Cedric Bixler. With her husband's encouragement, Bixler went to the police and made the rape allegations public in 2017. Upon hearing her story, Bobette Riales who dated Masterson in the early 2000’s, went public with her support for Bixler. She also revealed that she too had been raped by the actor. Since then, two other alleged victims have come forward and made similar claims. While there is an open case with the LAPD, no charges have been filed. On August 14h, in an effort to seek justice, the four women filed a civil suit against Masterson, The Church of Scientology, and the head of the church David Miscavige. Remini told the women, “We thank you both for being so brave, for continuing to go to the police, for continuing to report each and everything that happens to you, for continuing to speak despite it all. It should be noted that the Masterson’s attorney and the Church of Scientology deny all of the allegations.