Learning from R. Kelly’s conviction
Last month, a New York City federal jury found R&B singer R. Kelly guilty on nine charges of sexual trafficking and racketeering against at least 11 persons. He awaits sentencing, and still faces charges in Minnesota and Chicago.
According to court documents and public exposés, Kelly has preyed on younger women since the 1990s. In 1994, he was accused (but not convicted) of illegally marrying a 14-year-old girl. In 2002, he was indicted on 21 counts of making child pornography but was later acquitted. Numerous reports and accusations of his sexual predation have since followed.
A witness at the trial who worked at a recording studio testified she was “treated as his personal sex object and cast aside. He often tried to control every aspect of my life ...”
A lawyer who represented several of the victims said this after the trial: “I have been practicing law for 47 years. During that time, I’ve pursued many sexual predators who have committed crimes against women and children. Of all the predators I have pursued, Mr. Kelly was the worst.”
The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) issued this statement: “This guilty verdict sends a loud message to survivors of sexual violence, and we are pleased that R. Kelly will be brought to justice for some of the irrevocable harm he has caused.
“Many survivors of Kelly’s abuse – women and men of color, who were long ignored and pushed aside – came forward and spoke out powerfully throughout the trial. (The) verdict was made possible by their courage and persistence in being heard, and we thank them … We hope that today’s verdict empowers survivors everywhere to feel that they are not alone.”
But no number of guilty verdicts or post-trial statements can erase the pain and suffering sexual predators have inflicted upon their victims. While we at CAV join others in applauding the courage of the accusers and the decision of the jury in the Kelly case, we are appalled at how many years Kelly got away with his predatory behavior, and how long people and institutions could use their fame, status, and power to avoid prosecution for sexual violence.
The longsought convictions of sexual predators Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby are still fresh in our minds. It took decades to bring them to trial for using their public stature and power to ensnare, sexually assault, and then keep quiet upwards of 80 women over 30 years. Same for the prolonged sexual abuse by USA Gymnastics’ physician Larry Nasser, or the Catholic Church, among many others.
At the crux of this tragedy is most victims – regardless of their age, class, color, or economic status – expect they won’t be believed and will be accused of causing the assault themselves. Government statistics say 68 percent of sexual assaults are not reported.
CAV strongly supports EVAWIs “Start by Believing” campaign (startbybelieving.org). It goes right to the heart of this issue: If we don’t start believing the accounts of survivors – and conduct thorough and fair evidence-based investigations based on those accounts – then perpetrators like R. Kelly and countless others will remain free to abuse without consequence.
As one of the women assaulted by Nassar said while standing with other victims at the 2018 ESPY Awards, “If just one adult had listened, believed and acted, the people standing before you on this stage would have never met him.”
Malinda Williams is the executive director of Community Against Violence (CAV) which offers free and confidential support and assistance for child and adult survivors of sexual and domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and child/elder abuse; community and school violence prevention programs; re-education groups for people using power and control in their relationships; counseling; shelter; transitional housing; and community thrift store. To talk or get information on services, call CAV’s 24-hour hotline at 575758-9888 or visit taoscav.org.