Fourth Woman Alleges Oscar-Winner Director Paul Haggis Tried To Rape Her

On Thursday, October 27, a fourth woman testified that director Paul Haggis assaulted and attempted to rape her in 2015.

The woman alleged that she met the director at a charity after the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival, where he tried to track her down and attempted to forcibly kiss her multiple times.

The woman also claimed that Haggis jumped into her cab to follow her home and only gave up after a bystander heard and acknowledged her screams for help. She testified that she met the director at his charity Artists for Peace and Justice.

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Woman Testifies Against Paul Haggis

The woman alleged that after she declined a post-screening dinner invitation, he followed her to an after-party and “shadowed” her. She claimed that he insisted on buying her drinks and texting her. The accuser claimed told Haggis that she wasn’t interested in him romantically, but he followed her when she left.

The woman testified, “He’s now physically assaulting me, it’s no longer the manipulation, those sort of predatory tactics – it’s now physical.” The woman alleged that when she got into a taxi, he jumped into the taxi before she could lock it as well.

She alleged that Haggis said he would take the cab back to his hotel after she was dropped off and he would pay for it. However, the woman claimed that Haggis left the cab and caught up with her before she could reach the front door.

She testified that she refused to allow Haggis to come up to her apartment as she feared he would rape her. The woman alleged that Haggis tried to kiss her again and after she screamed in response, she caught the attention of a pedestrian. She added that Haggis froze, which allowed her to run to her apartment and lock the door.

Haggis is also facing a court case in the United States, he is being sued by Haleigh Breest, who alleged Haggis raped her in January 2013.

So far, four more women, all of whom prefer to remain anonymous have accused Haggis of assault. Breest's attorneys are attempting to prove that Haggis' alleged rape is part of a pattern of behaviour.