Amy Schumer Sticks Up for Aziz Ansari Accuser, But Doesn't Think He's a 'Criminal'

While speaking to Katie Couric on a podcast Thursday, Schumer described Ansari's behavior as unacceptable that must be stopped, but was clear she didn't consider it criminal.

"If you have a doctor that makes you uncomfortable, or you get a massage, or you have a date with someone and they coerce you in a situation like the Aziz one, I don't think there's any sort of criminal charge, but I think that it's good for everybody to learn that that behavior's not acceptable," Schumer said. "It's not a crime, but it's not cool and it can still really mess with a woman."

Schumer added that although figuring out where that line is drawn is a difficult conversation to have, "we just can't let things continue the way they've continued, because there are so many different levels of it."

Ansari was accused of sexual abuse by an anonymous 23-year-old woman earlier this month.
The woman, codenamed Grace in the Babe.net article, alleged that sexual acts were occurring during a date with the actor even though she was "physically giving off cues" she wasn't comfortable. Ansari considered the encounter consensual and said in a statement he didn't pick up on the non-verbal cues.

"We went out to dinner, and afterwards we ended up engaging in sexual activity, which by all indications was completely consensual," Ansari said in a statement. "The next day, I got a text from her saying that although 'it may have seemed okay,' upon further reflection, she felt uncomfortable. It was true that everything did seem okay to me, so when I heard that it was not the case for her, I was surprised and concerned. I took her words to heart and responded privately after taking the time to process what she had said."

Schumer also noted that although she is friends with Ansari, she empathizes with the woman calling him out for his behavior.

"He's been my friend and I really feel for the woman," she said. "I identify with all the women in these situations. Even if it's my friend, I don't go, 'Oh, but he's a good guy.' I think, 'What would it feel like to have been her?'"

"I don't think anyone wants to see Aziz's career ruined or his life ruined or anything like that, but that's where people's minds go," Schumer added. "They go, 'Does he deserve this?' And it's really not about that. I think it's about expressing and showing women that that behavior is not okay and not only can you leave, but you need to leave ebcause then the women who come after you, you're leaving a mark for them too."