Andrew Tate Indicted on Charges of Rape and Human Trafficking

Facts

• Controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate has been formally indicted by Romanian authorities on charges of rape, human trafficking, and forming an organized crime group to sexually exploit women.¹
• His brother, Tristan Tate, as well as two women, are also facing charges in connection with the organized crime investigation. Both brothers are British-US dual citizens, with Andrew Tate residing in Romania since 2017.²
• Prosecutors allege that seven women were lured into the human trafficking operation under the false guise of forming a relationship with the Tate brothers, with Andrew Tate being accused of raping one of the victims. Trafficking of adults and rape can each carry sentences of 10 years under the Romanian judicial system.³
• Once the victims arrived in Romania, prosecutors allege the women were kept under surveillance, intimidated with threats of violence, forced into debt, and forced to produce pornography.¹
• The Tate brothers have been detained in Bucharest since December, with a judge granting them house arrest in March. Their media team says the looming trial, which could take years to be resolved, will prove their 'innocence and vindicate their reputation.' The pair is also under investigation for money laundering and the trafficking of minors.¹
• A self-described misogynist, Andrew Tate amassed a large social media following through displays of lavish wealth and hyper-masculinity — attracting controversy for his sexist remarks and influence on young men. In 2022, Tate was the world's eighth-most Googled person.⁴

Sources: ¹BBC News, ²Thestar.Com, ³Reuters and ⁴CBC.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by BBC News. The case of Andrew Tate best exemplifies the adage that you ought to believe someone when they show you who they are. Andrew and his brother built a social media empire off of selling misogyny to impressionable young men, and it seems that their public statements were not solely bluster. The two are facing serious allegations of sexual violence and coercion. The horrific curtain is finally pulled back on their vile brand.
• Narrative B, as provided by Vox. Regardless of what you think of him, Tate has the right to presumed innocence until proven guilty. Besides, widespread gloating over his indictment only entrenches the view of himself and his followers that he is being unjustly persecuted. Both the media and Tate himself benefit from reporting on his every word, and perhaps it is best to deny him further attention and let the legal proceedings take their course.
• Narrative C, as provided by UnHerd. The criminal case aside, Andrew Tate's popularity should not be viewed through either the lens of 'this man is a terrible misogynist' or 'this man is the greatest leader of our time.' Tate tapped into a modern world where women are excelling exponentially in educational and professional careers, while young men are being fed more and more often a negative narrative surrounding masculinity. It is society's failure to develop a more positive script for modern masculinity compatible with gender equality that has created the vacuum the likes of Tate have been quick to fill.