Oh, we’ve all met men like ex-Denver DJ David Mueller, guys who think they can give a young woman a squeeze or pinch or grope and get away with it, even in front of a celebrity photographer and while standing beside their own girlfriend.
But Mueller met his match in the mighty Taylor Swift, who, to quote one of her hit songs, refused to “shake it off.”
Four years ago during a meet-and-greet photo event before a concert in Denver, Swift stood between Mueller and his then-girlfriend.
Right before the photo was snapped, Swift testified, Mueller reached under her skirt and grabbed her backside.
Swift was 23 and Mueller, at 51, was more than twice her age.
“He stayed attached to my bare ass-cheek as I lurched away from him,” Taylor said on the stand last week in federal court. Swift said she tried to get as far away from Mueller as she could and told him and his girlfriend in a monotone voice “thank you for coming.”
Swift said she was stunned — and didn’t say anything to Mueller or halt the meet-and-greets because she didn’t want to disappoint the few dozen people waiting in line for a photo with her.
Swift quickly told her photographer about the groping and found the photo of her with Mueller, which was used in court.
Swift’s mother testified that she asked the radio station’s liaison to call Mueller’s bosses but didn’t contact the cops to avoid further traumatizing her daughter.
Mueller has denied groping Swift but the incident went public when he sued Swift and her team members for $3 million, claiming he lost his $150,000-a-year country radio station gig because of the accusation.
In turn, Swift countersued for sexual assault, asking for a $1 judgment.
On Monday, a jury sided with Swift.
“I acknowledge the privilege that I benefit from in life, in society and in my ability to shoulder the enormous cost of defending myself in a trial like this,” Swift said in a statement after the verdict.
“My hope is to help those whose voices should also be heard. Therefore, I will be making donations in the near future to multiple organizations that help sexual assault victims defend themselves.”
Swift could have easily settled out of court and made Mueller quietly go away.
But the brave pop sensation sent her legions of young fans a powerful message when she courageously stood up to Mueller.
So I think I speak for every woman who has been the victim of an unwelcoming squeeze, pinch, pat or grope when I say thank you, Taylor Swift.
Now, let’s hope Swift channels this experience into lyrics, a song that’s sure to become an empowering anthem for women and girls everywhere.