More than 200 female models and actresses who competed in the 2014 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow have come forward with stories about being sexually assaulted while wearing the skimpy outfits.
The Miss Universe contestants, many of whom were contestants on the pageant’s international competition, were photographed wearing skimpy lingerie and underwear as a part of the pageant, which took place from February to May of that year.
The pageant was hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The first contestant to come forward, Yulia Vavilova, told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti that she was approached by two men in the pageant in January, but they refused to give her the money for her dress.
The men allegedly threatened to shoot her if she continued to wear the skimpiest of outfits, according to Vavulova.
Vavilov said that she did not know whether the men had already committed sexual assault, and that the incident was not reported to authorities.
“When I was asked if I would go to the police for help, I said, ‘I will go to a court of law and not go to Russia,'” Vavlova said in an interview with the RIA news agency.
“But when I came back to the contestants in March, they were wearing these skimpy clothes,” she added.
Vazilova said she felt the need to speak up for herself because the Russian authorities had failed to act against sexual assault against pageant contestants.
“I was very happy to go on stage in front of thousands of people and to give my story,” Vazilov added.
The incident sparked an international outcry, with many celebrities, including actresses Anna Wintour and Ariana Grande, also coming forward with similar stories of sexual assault.
The allegations prompted the United Nations to condemn the “horrific” treatment of female contestants.
The United Nations has launched an investigation into the incidents.
Russian President Putin told reporters on Tuesday that the Russian government will not tolerate the behavior of its citizens who commit “sexual aggression against minors.”
“This is an absolutely shocking case, and I believe that the actions of the Russian state can only lead to greater pressure and pressure on all people,” Putin said.
