Taylor Swift has hired a gender studies expert for her sexual assault case.
Back in 2015 Colorado DJ David Mueller sued Taylor Swift for defamation after she accused him of groping her at a meet and greet event back in 2013.
The DJ denied it ever happened but alleged he had lost his job over the claims. Taylor then countersued for battery and assault, and the trial is coming up in August.
Denied: DJ David Mueller is denying that he sexually assaulted Taylor | TAYLOR SWIFT
For her case Swift has enlisted Lorraine Bayard de Volo, a professor of gender studies at the University of Colorado, who has written and submitted an opinion about the DJ’s behaviour.
In her she outlines the ways in which sexual assault is normalised behaviour, and also analyses his defense throughout the trial.
She summarises that his actions were the result of Swift not paying enough attention to him, thereby threatening his sense of masculinity.
Gender Studies Expert: Taylor has enlisted the help of an expert | INSTAGRAM
In her report, the professor writes about how Swift was paying more attention to his girlfriend than to him.
“In Mr. Mueller’s description of the events, though Ms. Swift was cold and standoffish with him, she had a positive rapport with Ms. Melcher that included hugging and compliments.
“Mr. Mueller said that he felt “invisible” in the shadow of his girlfriend… Given that idealised masculinity entails dominance, leadership, authority, and assertiveness, this encounter would register as a blow to his sense of masculinity.”
David Mueller has filed a motion to bar this testimony, citing reasons such as the fact that the professor has never trained in psychology, and has never met him so can not claim he fits the description of someone who would likely commit sexual assault.
