Campaigners call for Jared Leto's concerts to be cancelled after criminal sexual conduct claims

August 7, 2026

Women's safety organizations are demanding the cancellation of Thirty Seconds to Mars concerts scheduled in the UK following a BBC investigation into frontman Jared Leto. The investigation featured four women accusing the 54-year-old musician of criminal sexual conduct, including assault and grooming, allegedly occurring in the 2000s and 2010s when the accusers were teenagers and Leto was in his thirties and forties. Women's Aid and the End Violence Against Women coalition have expressed concern about upcoming April performances at major London and Manchester venues, arguing that proceeding prioritizes profit over safety.

Who is affected

Four women who accused Jared Leto of criminal sexual conduct (including ex-model Alex)
Six additional women who spoke to the BBC documentary
Teenage girls and young women who attended Thirty Seconds to Mars concerts
Former crew members who worked with the band
Victims and survivors of violence against women and girls (according to campaigners)
Concert ticket holders for the upcoming UK shows
Women's Aid charity
End Violence Against Women coalition

What action is being taken

Women's Aid and the End Violence Against Women coalition are calling for the cancellation of Thirty Seconds to Mars' upcoming UK concerts
Tickets are currently being sold for the scheduled London and Manchester performances
BBC Newsbeat has contacted promoters, venues, and the band for comment

Why it matters

This case highlights broader issues around accountability in the entertainment industry and whether organizations should platform individuals facing serious allegations of sexual misconduct. The campaigners argue that allowing the concerts to proceed sends a troubling message that potentially condones harmful behavior and prioritizes financial considerations over women's safety. For survivors of violence against women and girls, seeing events continue without apparent consequences for the accused can cause significant distress, anger, and frustration, potentially undermining efforts to take allegations of sexual violence seriously.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC