Irish activist Shelby Lynn gives emotional speech in Berlin and appeals to women to get up against sexual abuse

Irish activist Shelby Lynn gives emotional speech in Berlin and appeals to women to get up against sexual abuse

Surprise in Berlin: At an event of "Women 100" in the Hotel de Rome, the Irish Shelby Lynn (24) gave a passionate speech to politicians and journalists. The evening was shaped under the motto "women's solidarity".

Shelby Lynn was the first woman to raise accusations against Rammstein singer Till Lindemann (60) in May and thereby triggered a wave of further accusations of young women against the rock star. The allegations range from physical abuse to the use of knockout drops to sexual assault. Till Lindemann and his lawyers vigorously deny all allegations.

Shelby Lynn spoke despite the threatened legal consequences. Many see them as a voice of all the women who had been silent before - also in their speech in Berlin. With tears in her eyes, she appealed to all women not to be intimidated and get up against any form of abuse.

In her speech, Shelby Lynn asked: "If there is anyone here who knows a young woman in his surrounding area, who was attacked, please raise the hand." Around 90 percent of the audience reported. Shelby Lynn then emphasized: "I think that speaks for itself. Something has to change. It is accepted, it is no longer a news if someone is sexually attacked or raped. Girls are murdered."

Shelby Lynn continued: "In 2023 we should not still fight for basic human rights. Girls, all present here, we have so much power! You have no idea how powerful we are together. In the past three months, since this happened to me - look at the difference that has already happened."

The Irishess criticized how women are considered objects and that men speak for them while they have no place for their own thoughts, feelings and moral ideas. She emphasized that equality is not a matter of course and that women are prepared from an early age to protect themselves.

Particularly criticized Shelby Lynn the "Row Zero" at Rammstein concerts, in which girls are said to have been selected for private parties. She described this as systematic abuse and emphasized that something had to change for a long time. She appealed to the listeners not to allow this behavior to be admitted because the girls concerned could not recover. The experience would be passed on to the next generations.

Shelby Lynn finally called up not to be forbidden. However, she emphasized that women should also know their own limits. If something is wrong, women should say "no" loudly and clearly and delete those who cross their limits.

At the moment, the Berlin public prosecutor's office against Till Lindemann is ongoing for "allegations of crime in the field of sexual offenses and submission of narcotics". Lindemann vehemently denied the allegations that were raised by Shelby Lynn and other women. Lindemann was partly successful against reporting in the “Spiegel” to the allegations.

The speech by Shelby Lynn continues to cause a stir and is considered an important contribution to the debate on sexual abuse and equality.

Source: B.Z.