Tallup feels her sister’s pain - Artiste tells Danger she is not alone

For dancer-turned-artiste Tallup, the saying 'family is everything' is more than just mere words; it is something she believes in wholeheartedly. So when her sister, DHQ Danger, last week claimed she was sexually assaulted four years ago, Tallup was hurt.

Speaking with THE STAR about the issue, the entertainer said that she has been left devastated having learnt of her sister's ordeal. The entertainer has penned a track, titled Danger (You are not alone), to not only reassure her sister of her support, but to also encourage women who have been sexually assaulted to speak up.

"As a big sister, I felt the need to defend Danger, because a lot was being said about her after she came out and spoke her truth. I felt very hurt and angry about the whole thing. When I heard, I was so heartbroken. I wished she had told me sooner," Tallup said.

Danger (You are not alone) was released on Saturday, and has since generated some 20,000 views on YouTube.

Meanwhile, gender activist Nadeen Spence said that sexual violence against women has been normalised throughout the society.

"The norm is for women to stay silent, and if she speaks, it is not what happened to her that is the problem, it is her speaking up about it that becomes the issue. What society has done is shut these women down every time they come forward, and so many choose not to," she said.

Sexual violence

"Women are expected to accept sexual violence. Remember, even in Jamaica, the idea that a man can rape his wife was seen as ludicrous two years ago, and so our society is cultured to accepting sexual violence against women as the norm, and the institutions and legislative arrangements support it."

Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte, while not commenting on the issue involving DHQ Danger, told THE STAR said the society should not hesitate to "call it out" (referring to sexual abuse), which has taken root in the society.

"I find it very unfortunate that victims of sexual abuse are often made out to be offenders instead of what they are, victims. I understand that complaints have to be investigated and verified, but we must not ascend to judgement when we hear these stories of abuse," she said.

"No one should suffer in silence. Abuse is abuse, violence is violence, and it's criminal. It's time to call it out for what it is, and those who commit these dastardly acts must be brought to justice, and the society must get to the place where it exposes them instead of covering for them."