According to a published report by Billboard, a lawsuit has been brought against Bob Dylan alleging sexual abuse of a twelve-yearold girl in 1965. The complaint was brought under New York’s Child Victims Act, a 2019 law which temporarily suspended the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims. The lawsuit was filed in New York State Supreme Court on Friday (Aug. 13). Identified only by the initials “J.C.,” the woman alleges that over a six-week period in April and May 1965, Dylan abused her, provided her with drugs and alcohol and threatened physical violence, “leaving her emotionally scarred and psychologically damaged to this day.” She says Dylan facilitated the abuse by establishing an “emotional connection” and grooming her using his status as a hugely-famous musician. The complaint includes few specifics of the alleged abuse. We will continue to track this story as it develops. 

According to the suit, the woman further claims that Dylan’s alleged abuse resulted in economic losses, including medical costs related to his conduct — some of which she alleges occurred in his apartment at the Hotel Chelsea, where Dylan famously wrote lyrics for his 1966 album Blonde on Blonde. She is suing Dylan for assault and battery, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress and seeking compensatory, punitive and exemplary damages.

A spokesperson for Dylan sent the following statement to Billboard: “The 56-year-old claim is untrue and will be vigorously defended.”

https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9615669/bob-dylan-child-sexual-abuse-lawsuit/