This afternoon, the New York Times broke the news that FKA Twigs had filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against her former partner, actor Shia LaBeouf, for sexual battery, assault, and infliction of emotional distress. While the details of LaBeouf’s “relentless” abuse made for a horrifying read in and of itself—only emphasizing further the bravery of Twigs in taking these allegations public—it was a statement the musician shared to Twitter tonight that truly spotlighted just how significant this case will be, both for Twigs and victims of domestic violence around the world.
“My second worst nightmare is being forced to share with the world that I am a survivor of domestic violence,” Twigs wrote. “My first worst nightmare is not telling anyone and knowing that I could have helped even just one person by sharing my story. I hope that by sharing my experience I can truly help others feel like they are not alone, and shed some light on how those who are worried somebody they care about may be in an abusive relationship can help because I understand it can be confusing and hard to know what to do.”
The lawsuit is something of a landmark case—as the Times reported, the terms of the suit filed by Twigs are relatively rare, with most domestic abuse litigation emerging as a result of divorce or custody proceedings. And as the most high-profile lawsuit of its kind thus far, it will hopefully embolden women who have been subject to violence in the home to pursue legal recourse via similar civil claims.
Yet while Twigs has already said she will donate a significant amount of any awarded damages to charities supporting victims of domestic violence, what feels equally important is her willingness to step forward as a public figure with a candid account of the physical and emotional trauma that was inflicted upon her. Talk of “awareness” around social justice causes can sometimes feel trite; but in the case of intimate partner violence, a topic which is widely misunderstood, first-hand accounts of the patterns of abuse can be life-changing as they encourage others in similar circumstances to recognize and address them.
The importance of Twigs’s statement lies in both its timeliness and its urgency. With the restrictions of the pandemic forcing many around the world to remain within their homes for extended periods of time, domestic abuse hotlines have experienced a worrying uptick in calls. Meanwhile, shelters have had to deal with the logistical complexities of incoming and outgoing patients while still ensuring their practices remain Covid-safe—a further deterrent to women who may already feel conflicted about whether or not to seek help or refuge to escape the cycle of abuse.
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December 12, 2020 at 09:10AM
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Why FKA Twigs’s Statement on Domestic Violence Is More Urgent Than Ever - Vogue.com
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