Over 130 Sexual Assault Survivors Pen Letter to Sony Music CEO Doug Morris Asking He Take a Stand Against Sexual Violence and Not Renew Contract with Dr. Luke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 16, 2016
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | 516-841-1105 | brett@unbendablemedia.com
Over 130 Sexual Assault Survivors Pen Letter to Sony Music CEO Doug Morris Asking He Take a Stand Against Sexual Violence and Not Renew Contract with Dr. Luke
UltraViolet Takes Aim at Sony Execs Demanding They Not Renew Contract with Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records, Work to Free Kesha from Rape Contract
UltraViolet, a national women’s advocacy group, has organized more than 130 survivors of sexual assault, and their families, in a letter to Sony Music Entertainment CEO Doug Morris asking he take a stand against sexual assault and not renew Sony’s contract with Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records.
The letter from survivors is part of a national effort in support of pop-star Kesha through her ongoing legal battle with Dr. Luke. Last month, the New York State Supreme Court decided against Kesha ruling that if she hoped to continue making music she would have to continue working with Dr. Luke, a man who she claims sexually harassed and assaulted her. Last week, The Wrap, citing Sony insiders said that the music giant plans to drop Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records, but Sony Music has yet to issue an official comment on the matter.
The letter argues that no survivor should be forced to work with her abuser, continuing to relive the trauma of assault, and that Sony Music should not reward Dr. Luke for his crime by continuing to keep his company, Kemosabe Records, affiliated with Sony Music Entertainment. In 2011, Dr. Luke and Kemosabe Records signed a five-year deal with Sony Music, and that deal expires in 2016.
The letter reads:
Dear Mr. Morris,
We, as survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence–and their loved ones–write to ask you to take a stand against sexual assault and not renew Sony Music Entertainment’s contract with accused rapist, Dr. Luke.
The very public and drawn-out legal battle between Sony Music and pop star and survivor, Kesha, has done nothing but demonstrate that Sony Music, under your leadership, values profit over stopping sexual assault and keeping vulnerable artists safe.
By continuing to work with Dr. Luke and forcing Kesha to either work with him or effectively end her career, you demonstrate to the world that the lives of countless people–1 in 4 women just on college campuses alone, in fact–who have been and will be sexually assaulted don’t matter. No survivor should be forced to relive her trauma, yet Sony Music is legally requiring Kesha to work with her abuser. No rapist should be rewarded for his crime, yet Sony Music keeps Dr. Luke on its payroll.
None of us can afford this very public and tacit approval of sexual assault. Your association with Dr. Luke sends the message that sexual assault is a crime of no consequence, effectively encouraging this criminal epidemic. By keeping Dr. Luke and prioritizing his needs over Kesha’s, you and Sony Music are saying you stand with rapists, not survivors.
For the sake of people who are or may be affected by perpetrators of violence, please free Kesha from contractual obligations to work with Dr. Luke and Kemosabe Records and end your contract with Dr. Luke.
Signed,
Domestic violence survivors, sexual assault survivors, and their family and friends
Earlier this month, more than 31,500 members of UltraViolet called on Sony Music CEO Doug Morris to permanently cut ties with Dr. Luke and not renew their contract with Kemosabe Records this year.
View the petition here: act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/sony_drluke/
“By continuing to force Kesha to work for Dr. Luke, Sony is sending a clear signal to music fans around the world – that they stand with rapists and against survivors. Sony Music executives should listen to survivors of sexual assault and capitalize on the opportunity to send a clear signal to music fans and performing artists around the world that rape and sexual assault will never be tolerated.” explained Shaunna Thomas, co-founder of UltraViolet.
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UltraViolet is an online community of over 700,000 women and men who take collective action to expose and fight sexism in the public sector, private sector and the media. Find out more at WeAreUltraViolet.org