‘Leaving Neverland’ Accuser James Safechuck Offers Support to Survivors Amid ‘Michael’ Release
Leaving Neverland accuser James Safechuck has issued a poignant statement in support of survivors of childhood sexual abuse, timed to coincide with the wide release of the Michael Jackson biopic, Michael.
Safechuck, one of the two primary subjects of the 2019 documentary that detailed allegations of abuse against the late pop icon, shared a video message intended to provide solidarity to those who may find the current cultural discourse surrounding the film distressing. Jackson consistently denied all allegations of misconduct throughout his life.
A Message of Solidarity for Survivors
In his statement, Safechuck acknowledged the complex emotions that can arise when an accused abuser is celebrated in the public sphere. “The Michael movie is coming out and it’s getting a lot of promotion and there’s billboards and commercials and people praising Michael. It can be triggering for survivors who have their own Michael in their lives, whether it’s the priest who’s close to God or the sports coach who’s just helping the kids or the step-parent who’s supporting the family,” Safechuck said. “Our abusers are praised sometimes, even after we come out and tell the truth.”
Safechuck emphasized that his intention is not to engage in a campaign against Jackson’s legacy, but rather to offer a lifeline to others who have experienced similar trauma. “I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone and that there are other survivors out there that understand what you’re going through and that are there with you,” he added. “And that if you’re feeling all the feels, then lean into people that are close to you, lean into people that support you and that give you love, and know that you’re not alone.”
Legal Battles and Public Discourse
Safechuck’s public outreach comes as he continues a long-standing legal battle against the Jackson estate. Alongside Wade Robson, who also appeared in Leaving Neverland, Safechuck is currently involved in a $400 million lawsuit that is scheduled to head to trial this November.
The release of the biopic has reignited debates regarding the separation of an artist’s work from their personal history. Dan Reed, the director of Leaving Neverland, also weighed in on the film’s release, expressing concern that younger audiences might be introduced to Jackson through a lens that omits the allegations. “Clearly with this movie, a lot more young people are going to discover Michael Jackson and they will come away from this picture probably with the image that he was a very talented performer who was rather nice to children and that is a travesty of the truth,” Reed stated.
Safechuck concluded his message by reaffirming the importance of speaking out as a component of the recovery process. “Telling the truth and telling what happened is a good thing, and that it’s a part of your healing,” he said.
