Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Taylor Swift pledges to help 'those whose voices should also be heard' after winning sexual assault lawsuit

Jurors decide in favour of singer in Denver lawsuit against radio DJ David Mueller whom she accused of groping her during photo shoot

Sam Blewett
Tuesday 15 August 2017 08:31 BST
Comments
Taylor Swift praised after sex assault trial win

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Taylor Swift has promised to “help those whose voices should also be heard” after jurors found a radio host groped her during a photo shoot.

The singer, 27, also praised her legal team for “fighting for me and anyone who feels silenced by a sexual assault” and thanked the jury.

Swift acknowledged on Tuesday her privileged position being able to “shoulder the enormous cost” of defending herself and vowed to donate to multiple charities that help sexual assault victims in court.

She won a symbolic one dollar (77p) victory and vindication when jurors in Denver on Monday decided sacked DJ David Mueller grabbed her backside during a pre-concert picture opportunity four years ago.

In a statement, the US singer-songwriter thanked judge William Martinez and the jury for their “careful considerations”.

And she praised her lawyers for “fighting for me and anyone who feels silenced by a sexual assault, and especially anyone who offered their support throughout this four-year ordeal and two-year long trial process”.

“I acknowledge the privilege that I benefit from in life, in society and in my ability to shoulder the enormous cost of defending myself in a trial like this,” she added.

“My hope is to help those whose voices should also be heard. Therefore, I will be making donations in the near future to multiple organisations that help sexual assault victims defend themselves.”

Mr Mueller started the lawsuit, suing Swift and her mother Andrea Swift as well as their radio handler Frank Bell for three million dollars (£2,300,000).

Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)

Sign up
Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)

Sign up

Swift counter-sued asking for just one dollar and an opportunity to stand up for women.

The judge dismissed the case against Swift before the end of the trial but the case remained against her mother and Mr Bell who contacted Mr Mueller's bosses at Denver country station KYGO-FM.

Press Association

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in