Anti-Flag frontman Justin Sane sued for sexual assault

Former Anti-Flag frontman Justin Sane is being sued by a lady for sexual assault.

In a lawsuit filed in New York on Wednesday (November 22) and obtained by Rolling Stone, Kristina Sarhadi, a New York holistic therapist and well being coach, is suing Sane – actual identify Justin Geever – and the band’s distribution firm for an unspecified quantity.

In a press release, Sarhadi has stated: “Justin Geever used his platform as a celebrated, self-proclaimed ‘punk rock star’ to groom and lure susceptible women into feeling secure in his presence.”

“Whereas he sang about defending ladies and standing as much as abusers, it seems he was hiding an dependancy to energy and management, harming numerous ladies who’ve been unable to talk up prior to now. Immediately I hope to encourage his survivors, and survivors of different predators within the music business, to really feel hope once more.”

Neither Geever nor his former bandmates have responded to requests for remark.

The lawsuit alleges that Geever invited Sarhadi into his motel room and restrained and strangled her, earlier than forcing her to carry out oral intercourse on him. “When she may breathe, she repeatedly pleaded with him to cease,” it alleges. “She was shocked and crying. He was imply and violent with Plaintiff; she didn’t matter and was simply an object for him to dominate.”

In July, the band introduced their sudden break up, with out giving any form of clarification. They deleted all of their social media accounts and their official web site.

On the identical day, an episode of the podcast Enough was launched, during which a lady spoke about being raped by a singer in a political punk band. She didn’t identify the band or singer, however many speculated on the time that she was referring to Geever. It has now been confirmed that this girl was Sarhadi.

A couple of days after the break up, Geever issued a press release: “Not too long ago, there have been claims of sexual assault made in opposition to me and I can let you know that these tales are categorically false. I’ve by no means engaged in a sexual relationship that was not consensual, nor have I ever been approached by a lady after a sexual encounter and been informed I had in any manner acted with out her consent or violated her in any manner. Now that I’ve had a couple of days to soak up the preliminary shock, I’m making this assertion to set the report straight.

He continued: “In regard to Anti-flag disbanding, as a band, the choice was made that underneath these circumstances it will be inconceivable to proceed,” including “I wish to thank my household and buddies, and the various, many followers, musicians, and bands who’ve reached out to me to supply their help and assist.”

In a separate assertion, the remainder of the band – Pat Thetic, Chris Barker and Chris Head – stated: “A core tenet of the band Anti-Flag is to hearken to and imagine all survivors of sexual violence and abuse. The current allegations about Justin are in direct contradiction to that tenet. Subsequently, we felt the one quick possibility was to disband.”

They continued: “Now we have been shocked, confused, saddened and completely heartbroken from the second we heard these allegations. Whereas we imagine that is extraordinarily critical, within the final 30 years now we have by no means seen Justin be violent or aggressive towards ladies. This expertise has shaken us to our core.

“We perceive and apologize that this response might not have been fast sufficient for some individuals. That is new territory for all of us and it’s taking time for us to course of the state of affairs,” they stated, including “It was a privilege for us to be within the band Anti-Flag, as we search to search out our path ahead we want therapeutic to all survivors.”

In September, it was reported that twelve extra ladies had come ahead to allege that Geever had sexually assaulted them in incidents that date from the ’90s to as just lately as 2020. Their accounts observe the same sample – Sane would allegedly make eye contact with them whereas performing after which method them after the present. Many of those ladies declare they have been a lot youthful than Sane when these incidents occurred, and the piece additionally accuses Sane having intercourse with youngsters. Considered one of these incidents allegedly concerned a 12-year-old (although Sane was a young person on the time).

For assist, recommendation or extra info concerning sexual harassment, assault and rape within the UK, go to the Rape Crisis charity website. Within the US, go to RAINN