ON AUGUST 14th last year, Taylor Swift learned that a jury had ruled in her favour against radio DJ David Mueller.
Taylor had always maintained that Mueller had touched her inappropriately during a meet and greet in 2013 – a claim which resulted in Mueller suing Taylor, and Taylor counter-suing for one dollar.
At the opening of her Tampa concert last night, a visibly emotional Taylor recalled the events of last year, and acknowledged that not all survivors of sexual assault get the same outcome as she did.
So this exact day a year ago, I was not playing a sold out stadium in Tampa, I was in a court room in Denver, Colorado, and um, honestly, I was there for a sexual assault case, and this day a year ago, was the day that the jury decided in my favour, and said that they believed me.
Taylor stressed her gratitude to everyone who believed her following the incident with Mueller, and admitted that had she not received support, empathy and understanding, her life may have taken a different turn.
I guess I just think about all the people who weren’t believed or who haven’t been believed, or who are afraid to speak up because they think they won’t be believed. And I just want to say that I’m sorry to everyone who ever wasn’t believed because I don’t know what turn my life would have taken if people hadn’t believed me when I said that something had happened to me.
While the singer acknowledged the positive outcome of her court case, she is acutely aware that further progress has to be made in cases of sexual harassment, assault and violence.
She then paid tribute to the bravery displayed by her fans, who she says have disclosed information to her in a move which indicates their trust.
I guess I just wanted to say that we have so so so much further to go and I’m so grateful to you guys for being there for me during what was a really, really horrible part of my life. I know when I meet you guys in meet and greets before and after shows and you tell me about the hard times you’ve gone through in your lives, I really appreciate you trusting me with that information.
Earlier today, Taylor uploaded news reports to her Instagram story which detail a poignant move made by members of her audience last night.
Clutching one-dollar bills to honour Taylor’s symbolic gesture, concert-goers marked the anniversary of the courtcase.
Sharing the reports, Taylor wrote: “I love you guys.”
