The most recent update on the rape and sexual assault allegations against Russell Simmons comes from Jennifer Jarosik, who is suing the former music mogul for $5 million after she claims he raped her in 2016.
Jennifer is just another one of the 14 women, at least, who have come forward accusing Russell of using his power and fame to conduct sexual acts with women he has encountered over the years. He has denied all allegations against him and just yesterday, his former wife and mother to his two children, Kimora Lee Simmons, has released a statement about the man she has known "for over 25 years."
"I add my voice to the chorus of those speaking out against harassment and violence in all its forms,” she said in her message on Instagram. “I have known Russell for over 25 years. We were close friends, married, divorced, and have remained friends, co-parents and partners throughout it all. These allegations against him are nothing like the person I have known in all that time. I have known him to be a caring and supportive father and someone who has worked tirelessly to uplift disenfranchised communities.”
She added: "This is a pivotal moment in which men are being held accountable for their abuses of power and denigrating behavior towards women in all spheres. As a mother of two daughters, I believe that no one should ever be shamed or portrayed as an unreliable witness to their own experiences for speaking up. Nor should anyone be condemned legally without due process and a fair trial."
She ended her statement with hope that anyone who has been sexually assaulted or harassed "reports it to their organization and/or law enforcement."
Read her full statement below.