Raquel Lee Bolleau, a former Disney Channel actress, has filed a lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company. The suit includes serious allegations of sexual abuse by an adult male employee during her time filming “The Poof Point” in 2001. She was only 14 years old at the time.
Allegations of Abuse
Bolleau claims that the abuse began after she was encouraged by Disney personnel to form a relationship with the adult employee. According to the lawsuit, he provided her with alcohol and sexually assaulted her multiple times during production. She recalls him telling her, “You’re old enough. You can handle it,” following one incident.
Response from Disney Personnel
After these events, Bolleau states she returned to the set smelling of alcohol and was visibly unwell. However, Disney personnel reportedly failed to investigate how a 14-year-old had access to alcohol. Instead, they criticized her behavior and branded her as “out of control.” An executive allegedly told her representatives that the production was in chaos and Disney was upset.
Lack of Supervision and Continued Abuse
The lawsuit claims that Disney disregarded child protection protocols, separating Bolleau from her guardian. While filming, her guardian was reportedly not allowed to stay close, allowing the alleged abuser easy access to Bolleau. The suit also details how the employee touched and harassed her openly on set without intervention from others.
The abuse allegedly continued beyond the film’s production. On a flight back to California, Bolleau was seated in first class away from her guardian, where the employee allegedly assaulted her again.
Lawsuit Details
Bolleau accuses Disney of failing to protect her from the abuse, ignoring warning signs, and violating child actor protections. She seeks compensatory and punitive damages, along with legal costs. Her legal representatives, Doug Wigdor and Jane Kim, emphasize the need for accountability in the entertainment industry.
Career Background
Raquel Lee Bolleau began her acting career as a child. Before her work with Disney, she appeared on “Malcolm & Eddie” and became a regular on Nickelodeon’s “The Amanda Show.” She later voiced a character on “The Proud Family” from 2001 to 2005.
The lawsuit mentions an alleged threat and cancellation of her role in a production following the 2001 incident.
Disney has not yet responded to these allegations.