Kesha: ‘This Issue Is Bigger Than Just About Me’

Kesha issued a new statement regarding her ongoing legal battle with producer Dr. Luke and Sony Music, writing to fans in a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon, “At this point, this issue is bigger than just about me.”

“All I ever wanted was to be able to make music without being afraid, scared, or abused,” Kesha wrote. “This case has never been about a renegotiation of my record contract – it was never about getting a bigger, or a better deal. This is about being free from my abuser. I would be willing to work with Sony if they do the right thing and break all ties that bind me to my abuser.”

In her statement, Kesha admitted that she recognizes now that there is more at stake in this case than just her career. “Unfortunately I don’t think that my case is giving people who have been abused confidence that they can speak out, and that’s a problem,” she wrote. “But I just want to say that if you have been abused, please don’t be afraid to speak out. There are places that will make you feel safe. There are people who will help you. I for one, will stand beside you and behind you. I know now how this all feels and will forever fight for you the way perfect strangers have been fighting for me.”

Kesha also said she was “forever grateful” to her fellow musicians – like Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift, Lorde and Kelly Clarkson – that “put their own careers at stake by supporting me.” The singer also stressed to fans, “We’re all in this together. You are not alone.”

Dr. Luke has denied all charges against him. “The goal of Kesha’s counsel throughout has been to obtain a more lucrative contract through a shameless campaign of outrageous claims they will never stand behind in a court of law,” his lawyer said in a statement. On Monday night, Luke asserted his innocence in a series of tweets. “I didn’t rape Kesha and I have never had sex with her,” he wrote. “Kesha and I were friends for many years and she was like my little sister. Kesha has denied under oath the horrible allegations now being made against me.”

Read Kesha’s entire statement below:

I’m so, so beyond humbled and thankful for all of the support I’ve received from everyone. Words cannot really express the emotions I’ve gone through reading and seeing how amazing everyone has been to me. I can’t believe that so many people all over the world took the time to show me support and love. Other entertainers who knowingly put their own careers at stake by supporting me, I will be forever grateful.

All I ever wanted was to be able to make music without being afraid, scared, or abused. This case has never been about a renegotiation of my record contract – it was never about getting a bigger, or a better deal. This is about being free from my abuser. I would be willing to work with Sony if they do the right thing and break all ties that bind me to my abuser.

But at this point, this issue is bigger than just about me.

I think about young girls today – I don’t want my future daughter – or your daughter – or any person to be afraid that they will be punished if they speak out about being abused, especially if their abuser is in a position of power.

Unfortunately I don’t think that my case is giving people who have been abused confidence that they can speak out, and that’s a problem.

But I just want to say that if you have been abused, please don’t be afraid to speak out. There are places that will make you feel safe. There are people who will help you. I for one, will stand beside you and behind you. I know now how this all feels and will forever fight for you the way perfect strangers have been fighting for me.

Yes, I am very much a feminist, but more than that, I am a humanist. I believe in supporting my fellow human beings in being SAFE.

We’re all in this together. You are not alone.

I love you and thank you.