When we look to the courts, we usually see them as institutions that fight for justice. However, justice is a far cry from what singer Kesha received February 19th, 2016 when she was denied an injunction to be released from her contract with Dr. Luke, a producer under Sony Music Entertainment. According to CNN, in 2014, Kesha filed a lawsuit against Dr. Luke, claiming he “drugged and raped her a decade ago and has committed ongoing abuse.”
The rape happened in 2006 when Kesha was just 18. However, she never pursued criminal charges, and who could blame her? 1 in 6 American women have been the victim of attempted or completed rape while 68% of sexual assaults never get reported. The fact that she reported her rape is an accomplishment in itself. Moreover, the abuse she suffered at the hands of her producer was so mentally severe that she checked into a rehab facility for bulimia nervosa early 2014 due to comments by her producer telling her that her body shape is equivalent to a “fat f****** refrigerator.”
Even more sickening is the fact that New York Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich chose in favor to do the more “commercially reasonable thing” rather than the “moral thing.” I understand that Supreme Court Justices are supposed to be impartial in trials, however, basing her decision on the $60 million Dr. Luke invested in Kesha’s musical career rather than the horrendous abuse she’s suffered at his disposal not only reinforces victim blaming but basically tells the victim that their suffering is worth less than money. It angers me that a producer that has so much power, a producer that has stunted her creative growth as an artist, and a producer that has committed many horrible acts against her is able to be supported by the court in the name of commerce. It sickens me that Kesha has to be in the presence of her rapist until the end of her contract because a Supreme Court Justice basically didn’t believe her allegations against her producer since there was little to no “evidence” that the rape happened.
In light of this, fans and celebrities are here to support her.
Stay strong Kesha, our hearts go out to you!