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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Taylor Swift's sexual assault case

65 replies

Hassled · 11/08/2017 09:32

I have to declare a bit of fan-girl love for Taylor Swift in any case, but her testimony in her sexual assault case has only made me love her more. She's not taking any shit -and she's certainly not letting anyone victim-blame: "Wasn’t Swift critical of her bodyguard, who didn’t prevent such an obvious assault? “I’m critical of your client sticking his hand under my skirt and grabbing my ass,” ". She's so adored by so many young girls that I think this is going to send a really important message.

Slate link here

OP posts:
passmethewineplease · 11/08/2017 19:28

I didn't realise people had ribs where there backsides were? Is that honestly his defence? Along with it wasn't actually him?Angry

TheLuminaries · 11/08/2017 19:32

I am a TS fan i think she is a talented songwriter who has succeeded on her own merits and I love the way she stands up for herself. All the sexist drivel about the number of boyfriends she had brilliantly countered by 'Shake it off'. She is an inspirational young woman - clever and not afraid to show it.

msrisotto · 11/08/2017 19:41

Her responses are incredible. Well done her.

Writersblock2 · 11/08/2017 20:07

Super impressed. Maybe this will start to turn the tables

VulvalHeadMistress · 11/08/2017 20:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HolyShmoly · 11/08/2017 20:25

I'm loving her responses. I'm loving the fact that she's counter suing him for a grand total of $1.
I am not loving the amount of comments of support for him, in many cases saying that he's just doing what loads of men would do in that situation. Like that's acceptable. It's just disgusting.

Hassled · 12/08/2017 11:33

DJ's case against Swift dismissed. Yay! Her $1 counter-suit is still to be considered.

OP posts:
CeeBeeBee · 12/08/2017 12:36

Well done Taylor for speaking up.

FrancisCrawford · 12/08/2017 13:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GinAndToast · 12/08/2017 23:14

mumsnet I want to share this thread with my own teenage daughter (as the subject came up after dinner and her views are led by teenage outlets and I wanted to show her this) and yet the sharing option doesn't work. I tried the other options... watching, hiding, etc. They all work. But the sharing one doesn't. At all.

Can you explain that at all? I am using the app.

GinAndToast · 12/08/2017 23:15

Not sure even report has worked 🙄 Nothing happened.

jonnywasnochemist · 12/08/2017 23:27

"Because my ass is in the back of my body". Props to that woman.

QuarksandLeptons · 13/08/2017 00:03

Gin, here's a link to this thread -

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3003219-Taylor-Swifts-sexual-assault-case?pg=2&order=

badbadhusky · 13/08/2017 00:07

I like the counter sue for $1 to prove it wasn't for money

I opened this thread to say the same thing. I have also been impressed by her 'on point' responses to the lawyers' questions.

OutComeTheWolves · 13/08/2017 06:13

I just popped on to start a thread about this. I'm not a fan of Taylor Swift at all I hate her crappy earworm songs but have a lot of respect for her for doing this. I think the treatment of Kesha recently has highlighted that no matter how respected/successful a woman is, some men just want to remind them of their 'place'.

A couple of things I've found interesting- the media reporting of the assault makes very little mention of the fact that Taylor is only counter-suing (for a dollar). In fact when I initially read the story I was under the impression that she started the action because he grabbed her bum. Which in my opinion is fine but (suing not bum grabbing) but a lot of people would not have sympathy with.

The DJ's lawyer suggested that maybe Swift's issue should've been with her bodyguard for not doing his job properly rather than with the DJ. What the fuck?? Not exactly victim blaming or is it? It's basically say it happened because she wasn't sufficiently protected I suppose.

And finally on most news sites, the comments I've read make me despair for humanity. It's easily 90% of people excusing the DJ and denouncing Taylor as unreasonable.

Anyway I think she came across as very measured and articulate in court and I'm very pleased that she may have given a few of her fans some food for thought.

KERALA1 · 13/08/2017 07:48

She is a brilliant role model. Dd started liking her music - welisten to it in the car a lot. Found myself listening when driving alone some of her stuff is really good particularly early stuff though quite country \ Americana so if you don't like that you won't like it.

The lyrics in her songs are great - no swearing or being weak in relationships. She is very strong and has clear boundaries with men and is quick to dump them at any sign of disrespect or abuse. She stood up to Spotify I think in defence of artists not being paid when their songs streamed.

SleightOfHand · 13/08/2017 08:08

If it happens in public to her again, I hope she feels able to call them out there and then, when it is actually happening on the spot.

Datun · 13/08/2017 08:16

SleightOfHand

If it happens in public to her again, I hope she feels able to call them out there and then, when it is actually happening on the spot.

Yes! Raising awareness of this sort of insidious entitlement to women. Calling it out, giving women the confidence to object, vociferously, there and then. Make it completely unacceptable.

What's galling about this, is that most women utterley believe her, without question. It's so commonplace. I can't bring myself to read the comments, but I wonder if its very proliferation is making those people think why bother?

Why bother highlighting that men believe they have the absolute right to touch or grab a woman's body in any way they like? And on camera!

In fact, I wonder if that was part of the thrill. His subconscious desire to do it whilst everyone was watching. Because he can.

Wrong, mate.

SavoyCabbage · 13/08/2017 08:17

She doesn't have to call them out then and there when it's actually happening. Nobody should be put in the position where they have to tell someone to take their hand off their arse.

Was it 'apple tree yard' that had a scene on that. Where the husband yelled in the face of the lawyer after he asked the wife why she didn't do something at the time. To demonstrate that you don't always act like you think you might be able to when under attack.

KERALA1 · 13/08/2017 08:36

Well exactly. I have been in two extreme danger type situations in my life and both times I just froze and did nothing which I think is very common.

Datun · 13/08/2017 09:02

I totally understand what you're saying. And I completely understand why she froze. It's instinctive.

Women are conditioned in two ways. Firstly not to confront generally. Secondly not to confront because you might be in danger.

If this gives women the confidence to object in the first scenario, I think it's all to the good. But I agree, in the second scenario, inadvisable.

Lottapianos · 13/08/2017 09:05

She's been handling this brilliantly. I'm so impressed by her and I hope she's successful with her counter claim

SleightOfHand · 13/08/2017 17:52

I've had this type of thing happen to me several times of the years, didn't say anything, like you say, shocked and frozen. I'm now in my forties, more confidence, give less of a shit what people think about me. There will be no more of me staying quiet, in fact, just the other day I called a man out over inappropriate behaviour, he stood there like a little boy being told off.

Butterymuffin · 13/08/2017 18:23

I like her anyway but this has been so impressive from her. Masterclass in how to combat victim blaming.

HolyShmoly · 13/08/2017 18:34

From the comments I read, most people believed her. It's just that so many people found it acceptable.