Ryan Nicol
State Sen. Lauren Book, a childhood sexual abuse survivor, is condemning R&B singer R. Kelly after he was charged with 10 counts of sexual abuse on Friday.
Kelly had faced abuse allegations for years — from his 2008 trial where he was acquitted of filming a sex tape with a minor to accusations he was keeping women as slaves.
“For more than two decades, R. Kelly has sexually abused and enslaved young and underage women — even preying upon women in South Florida,” Book said.
“R. Kelly cannot run from his misdeeds any longer, he must finally face his day in court and be seen for what he is: a serial predator. Kelly has used his fame and fortune as a shield against accountability. That stops today.”
Book, a Plantation Democrat, has been outspoken regarding issues of child sexual abuse during her career. Her nonprofit, “Lauren’s Kids,” provides resources and awareness for victims.
The latest felony charges against Kelly involve four different victims who were allegedly assaulted between 1998 and 2010. At least three of those victims were minors at the time. Kelly is expected to appear in court on Saturday.
And Book says Friday’s charges should revive calls for outlets to stop playing Kelly’s music altogether.
“In light of serious charges finally being filed, I am calling on the entire state of Florida to #MuteRKelly and silence his voice as Kelly has silenced the voices and suppressed the lives of hundreds of victims throughout the past 20 years.
“Radio stations, professional sporting teams, nightclubs, and other entities with a musical platform: Do not allow R. Kelly to continue to profit off his predation. Stop playing his music IMMEDIATELY.”
Book also thanked the several alleged victims who came forward to authorities: “To the survivors who have raised their voices to tell their painful stories, I thank you. Without you, today would not be possible.”
