Taylor Swift Gives Emotional Speech on the Anniversary of Her Sexual Assault Trial

"I haven’t really talked about it, so I’m just not composed at all."

Taylor Swift has delivered an emotional speech in Tampa on the one-year anniversary of her sexual assault trial.

Speaking from behind a piano during her Florida stop on the Reputation tour, Swift reflected on the verdict in her countersuit against radio DJ David Mueller, who was sacked after groping Swift during a meet-and-greet in 2013. (He initially sued her for supposedly getting him fired.)

"A year ago, I was not playing in a stadium in Tampa," she began.

 I was in a court room in Denver, Colorado, and, honestly I was there for a sexual assault case."

"This day, a year ago, was the day that the jury sided in my favour and said that they believe in me," she added, her voice cracking.

"I guess I just think about all the people that weren't believed, and the people who haven't been believed, and the people who are afraid to speak up because they think that they won't be believed.

"I just want to say that I'm sorry to everyone who wasn't believed because I don't know what turn my life would have taken if people didn't believe in me when I said that something had happened to me. I guess I just wanted to say that we have so, so, so much further to go and I'm so grateful to you guys for being there for me during what was a really horrible part of my life."

Her fans demonstrated their support by posting pictures of themselves with a dollar—the symbolic amount of money Swift sought in her countersuit against Mueller.

During tonight’s show, fans are planning on holding up a single dollar print out in solidarity and support for Taylor & other victims of sexual assault. #repTourTampa pic.twitter.com/rderJEcEKx

— Taylor Swift Updates (@swiftsupdates) August 14, 2018

I’m here and got my dollar! @taylornation13 @taylorswift13 #repTourTampa pic.twitter.com/3zJdMXJb8N

— claire is sad and has no more shows left (@legallyswift_) August 15, 2018

I know I speak for the majority of the fandom when I say we’ll always support you and stay by your side. Love you @taylorswift13. A dollar will never mean the same thing ❤️ pic.twitter.com/p7Xx3HbCk5

— Taylor Swift Updates (@swiftsupdates) August 15, 2018

In 2017, Swift was named one of Time Magazine’s People of the Year, as part of the collective "Silence Breakers" of the #MeToo movement.

If you have experienced sexual harassment, you can make a complaint to the Human Rights Commission. If you have experienced sexual assault, please see here for a list of sexual assault services throughout Australia or call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).

Header Image: Instagram (taylorswift)