Jermaine Jackson, the former member of the Jackson 5 and brother of legendary pop star Michael Jackson, has been ordered by a Los Angeles court to pay over £5.2 million in damages following a lawsuit filed against him by Rita Butler Barrett. The lawsuit accused Jackson of sexually assaulting Barrett in 1988, an incident that she claims was covered up to protect his reputation and business interests.
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The default judgment was issued by the Los Angeles County Superior Court after Jackson, now 71, failed to respond to Barrett’s allegations. The case has drawn considerable media attention, particularly due to the high-profile nature of Jackson’s career and the gravity of the allegations.
In her complaint, lodged in December 2023, Barrett detailed an incident from the spring of 1988 when she alleges that Jackson forced his way into her home without invitation and sexually assaulted her. According to Barrett, he left her residence after “satiating” his urges. She has described the experience as traumatic, stating that she feared for her life during the assault and sought divine assistance through prayer.
Barrett has claimed a personal connection to Jackson, alleging that she knew him through her husband, Ben Barrett, who had close ties to Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records. She has accused Gordy and various others in the industry of suppressing the incident to safeguard Jackson’s public image and financial interests, arguing that the situation was part of a broader effort to silence her and protect the profitability associated with Jackson’s career.
Throughout her complaint, Barrett expressed that she has suffered significantly as a result of the alleged assault, citing emotional, psychological, and physical injuries. Additionally, she stated that the ordeal led to humiliation, shame, guilt, economic loss, and long-lasting emotional distress, labelling herself as a survivor of sexual abuse, harassment, and rape.
The recent judgment comes at a time when Jermaine Jackson has been in the public eye, recently attending the Los Angeles premiere of a biopic about his brother, Michael Jackson, where his son, Jaafar Jackson, portrays the iconic singer. Despite the mounting allegations against him, a representative for Jackson has yet to issue a public response to the lawsuit or the subsequent court ruling.
The news has resonated deeply, especially in the context of the ongoing dialogue about sexual abuse and the challenges faced by survivors in coming forward. Barrett’s allegations serve as a stark reminder of the need for accountability in cases of sexual violence and the importance of supporting those who come forward with their experiences.
For anyone affected by sexual violence, support services are available. The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), and additional resources can be found on the website rainn.org.