Brooke Nevils Details Allegations Against Matt Lauer in New Memoir
Brooke Nevils, a former NBC talent assistant and producer, has released a memoir titled "Unspeakable Things," detailing allegations of sexual misconduct against former "Today Show" host Matt Lauer. Nevils' report to NBC in 2017 led to Lauer's termination. Lauer has consistently maintained that all encounters were consensual.
Initial Allegations at Sochi Olympics
In 2014, while assisting NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Brooke Nevils alleges an incident involving Matt Lauer. Nevils stated that Lauer, then co-anchor of the "Today Show," joined a group of colleagues, including Meredith Vieira, and ordered vodka shots, which Nevils consumed. She described waking up with evidence of bleeding after a night that included drinks with Lauer. Nevils alleges that Lauer invited her to his hotel room where she alleges he sexually assaulted her.
Nevils initially regarded the event as a misunderstanding, attributing her reluctance to label it as assault to societal stereotypes and a significant power differential with Lauer.
She noted the challenges of seeking help while in Russia, citing NBC's control over employee communications and medical services. Following the Sochi incident, Nevils received an email from Lauer, to which she responded in a friendly manner, stating she sought to de-escalate the situation.
Subsequent Encounters in New York
Nevils alleges that Lauer later invited her to his apartment in New York. She recounted arriving at his apartment, being offered a drink, and Lauer initiating a sexual encounter. During this encounter, Nevils states Lauer reportedly made a statement implying knowledge of the previous bleeding, which Nevils interpreted as an indication the Sochi event was not a misunderstanding.
Nevils detailed four additional alleged instances of "inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace" with Lauer in the subsequent months. She stated that additional sexual encounters occurred after their return to New York. Nevils described experiencing increasing self-blame and self-destructive behaviors during this period. She continued to interact with Lauer in professional settings, describing him as charming when not alone with him. For years, she minimized what happened, even to close friends and family, framing it as an "affair" or her own fault.
Reporting and Lauer's Termination
In October 2017, amidst the developing #MeToo movement and reports of journalists investigating Lauer, Nevils reported her experiences to NBC. She stated she considered this an act of loyalty to the company, despite her fears of professional repercussions. The day after Nevils filed her complaint, Lauer was questioned and subsequently fired by NBC News. Following his termination, other allegations against Lauer publicly emerged.
Matt Lauer's Response
Matt Lauer has consistently maintained that all encounters with Nevils were completely mutual and consensual, asserting they constituted an affair in which Nevils fully and willingly participated.
In a 2019 statement, Lauer reiterated that his interactions with Nevils were "completely mutual and consensual." He denies abusive or coercive sexual conduct.
Lauer has not been charged with or convicted of any crime related to these allegations.
Nevils' Memoir and Rationale
Brooke Nevils has since released a memoir titled "Unspeakable Things: Silence, Shame, and the Stories We Choose to Believe." She stated her aim in writing the book was to address the complexities of victim experiences and societal understanding of abuse, advocating for understanding for others in similar situations. She explained her decision to provide a detailed account of the alleged assault in her memoir, aiming to acknowledge the complexity and confusion of such events rather than simplifying them.
Nevils states she rarely uses the word "rape," explaining that the public often associates it with specific scenarios that do not align with the reality of many sexual assaults involving known and trusted individuals. She noted that language to discuss these experiences was limited in 2017 when she first reported. Nevils stated she experienced significant personal distress, including losing her job, and mental health struggles following these events.
Contextual Insights
Nevils has discussed the power imbalance prevalent in the workplace, noting that the opinions of on-air talent can significantly impact a producer's career. She highlighted that individuals in positions of power have a responsibility to consider whether less powerful individuals feel able to decline requests without penalty. Nevils stated she believed that reporting the incident would likely end her own career, given Lauer's prominence and importance to NBC.
Psychologists Kimberly Lonsway, Barbara Ziv, and Veronique Valliere have provided insights into victim behavior, stating that responses often deemed "counterintuitive" are common in sexual assault cases.
They cited reasons such as confusion, a desire to return to normalcy, and loss aversion, where known trauma is perceived as less terrifying than the unknown consequences of reporting. They noted that offenders often anticipate these reactions.