(TW: Sexual assault, Rape)
On December 4, artist Timothy Heller tweeted about her heartbreaking experience of sexual abuse. Although she initially didn’t want to share the name of the alleged abuser, she later wrote about the importance of accusing Melanie Martinez by name.
The CRYBABY singer has long generated controversy thanks to her unconventional album concept, wherein “crybaby is a character” and “the first record is representative of her childhood.” While she has stated she does not think she sexualizes babies, it is still up for debate whether Martinez contributes to normalizing the fetishization of kids and rape culture. To add to her polarizing nature, she is now being accused of allegedly sexually assaulting her ex-best friend.
https://twitter.com/timethyheller/status/937817806216691713
Timothy shares the details on how she allegedly told Melanie that she didn’t want to “have sex with her.” In her three page writing, she continues “The bottom line that I always need to remind myself is that I said no. For two nights straight.” She also stated that Melanie allegedly touched her inappropriately and performed oral sex with a sex toy.
“If you begin to doubt the abuse taking place in this story, I beg you to imagine her role in this being a man,” wrote Heller, “Girls can rape girls. Best friends can rape best friends. Friendship doesn’t equal consent. Silence doesn’t equal consent.”
Everyone, regardless of their gender, age, sex, race, or sexual orientation, can be an assaulter. Minorities are not exempt from being held responsible for their actions.
Comments showing support for Timothy’s bravery have already (and hopefully, will continue) to flood her timeline, as people have written they stand with her and they feel sorry that this allegedly happened to her. People have started the #MelanieMartinezisOverParty to talk about the incident and support Timothy, often also referencing the #MeToo movement.
You are very brave to share your story, Timothy. Never have any doubt about that. What happened to you was terrible and should never happen to anyone, least of all by someone who was supposed to be your best friend. I’m so very sorry it happened to you.
— Andrew Wiskow (@AndrewWiskow) December 4, 2017
RAPE is rape. whether by men or by women, it’s rape. it’s never, nor will it EVER be justified. pay attention. women are capable. men are capable. and it’s time it stops. it’s time this is over. STOP DEFENDING. STOP LETTING THINGS GO. #MelanieMartinezIsOverParty
— emma (@emmafgrantham) December 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/goldfishbabe101/status/937821448881803265
https://twitter.com/timethyheller/status/937823733242195968
Pictures of Melanie and Timothy started circulating online for those doubting their friendship:
👏🏻y'all👏🏻swear👏🏻she👏🏻never👏🏻even👏🏻met👏🏻her👏🏻or👏🏻was👏🏻her👏🏻friend👏🏻 #MelanieMartinez #MelanieMartinezIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/k5k4KFmRab
— Diannee 🌻 (@__dianeedun) December 5, 2017
But sadly the victim-shaming didn’t wait a second to show up. While many people have shown their support, there are countless others who are discrediting and blaming Timothy:
https://twitter.com/lukeygaga/status/937845285077835776
and you didnt force her off you even if it was true. THATS ON YOU. that you didnt try. bullshit to the hard core level. sorry, but this story is the fakest thing ive ever seen. this some kinky lonley fan fic.
— chels (@lbbhchelsea) December 4, 2017
bullshit. that is NOTHING melanie would do. literally not even close to melanies whole attitude. if youre going to lie, at least make it seem more like melanie.
— chels (@lbbhchelsea) December 4, 2017
Many people have stated they will no longer listen to Melanie’s music and they even said they want their money back.
https://twitter.com/mayahramirez/status/937829954330357761
https://twitter.com/smoladdd/status/937838582311645184
https://twitter.com/smgchicknugget/status/937843446454169600
Remember it’s very important to share your story (whenever you’re ready). No rapist or abuser should be able to live their life unscathed while their victims are suffering.
Even if the abuser is your relative, your friend, your favorite actor, or, as alleged in this case, your favorite music artist, you shouldn’t justify their actions, just because “they are your fav.” Abuse is abuse is abuse is abuse. Everyone can be the assaulter or the victim.
Melanie has yet to answer Timothy’s statement.
