Jay-Z has spoken out strongly after the sexual assault lawsuit against him was dropped.

This story is about sexual assault.
You probably remember that, at the end of last year, someone made a legal complaint against Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs. The complaint was that they had drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl in 2000.

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NPR reports that the lawsuit against Jay-Z and Diddy has been thrown out. The legal documents filed on Friday, 15 February, state that the lawsuit has been dismissed “with prejudice”. This means that the person who started the lawsuit cannot file it again.

In a statement, Jay-Z said that the dismissal was a “victory” and described the allegations as “frivolous, fictitious and appalling.”

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“This civil suit was without foundation and was never going to result in any consequences,” he wrote. “The made-up story they created was laughable, if not for how serious the claims were. I would not wish this experience on anyone. The trauma that my wife, my children, my loved ones and I have endured can never be dismissed.”

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In his statement, Jay-Z also referred to the alleged victim’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, as a “1-800 lawyer”. He added: “When they quickly realise that the money grab is going to fail, they get to walk away with no repercussions. The system has failed.”

“It is the responsibility of the court to protect victims. However, it is also crucial that the court protects the innocent from being accused without evidence. It is essential that the truth prevails for all victims and those falsely accused.”

Should you or someone you know have been affected by sexual assault, the National Sexual Assault Hotline can offer support. By calling 1-800-656-HOPE, you will be connected with your nearest sexual assault service provider. Alternatively, you can find your local centre using the search function on this website.