Over the past couple years, the media has been following Kesha’s lawsuit against her producer Lukasz Sebastian Gottwald, also known as Dr. Luke. Dr. Luke began drugging and sexually assaulting Kesha since she entered Hollywood at the age of 18, taking advantage of her vulnerability and eagerness to make a name for herself in the music industry. The abuse lasted for 10 years, and Kesha attempted to take her rapist to court in 2014.

The battle has brought to light just another aspect of sexual abuse and misconduct in Hollywood, as many famous actors directors, and now producers have taken advantage of their roles of power to exploit young women.

During this year’s Grammy Awards, Kesha performed her song “Praying,” which many think was written about her experience with Dr. Luke. Alongside her were Camila Cabello, Cyndi Lauper, Bebe Rexha, Andra Day, and Julia Michaels.

This performance was in response to the #MeToo movement, which started 10 years ago but went viral in 2017 to spread awareness of sexual assault. The #MeToo movement led to the Time’’s Up movement, which focuses on sexual assault and harassment in Hollywood, and featured many celebrities wearing black on the red carpet in solidarity.

From the very beginning of this performance, it was clear that, in just a few moments, there would be no dry eye in the house. Mine weren’t. Kesha’s trembling voice and passionate body language reflected all that we needed to know: she was, indeed, a victim of Dr. Luke’s but she also wasn’t going to continue to identify herself that way. She is a survivor. A soldier.

This performance is so unforgettable because it came during a time where many women have spoken out against sexual assault by male celebrities. The #MeToo movement has remarkably liberated many women of their fears of exposing their abusers, going beyond singers and actors, as even Olympic gymnasts have brought to light systematic abuse of hundreds of young women. There is no reason to believe that bringing perpetrators and corrupt systems to light will end, but rather increase as more women feel empowered by the movement to speak up.

Thanks to artists like Kesha, I feel this movement will continue to help victims feel more comfortable speaking out and to spread awareness about sexual assault. Kesha’s performance continues the pattern of placing the spotlight on sexual assault victims as well as changing the environment in Hollywood that permitted these abuses to go on for so long. By supporting artists like her and the spotlight on survivors, we can continue this pattern and create an environment – in Hollywood and beyond – of safety and respect.