Christian singer Stacie Orrico has named Universal Music Group and her ex manager Britt Ham in a lawsuit, alleging he sexually abused her when she was 14.
Orrico, 39, filed the lawsuit Tuesday, according to legal docs reviewed by the Daily Mail, stating that she was 14-years-old when Ham began fondling her during Bible study sessions, with the behavior escalating over time.
Orrico said Ham continued to stress to her that she needed to keep his actions toward her secret, lest they ruin her religious image.
‘The music industry failed to protect me when I was a little girl,’ Orrico said in a statement obtained by the Daily Mail.
She continued, ‘It has taken me years to become strong enough – but I am ready to fight for every young and innocent person who has been, and continues to be, abused in the music industry and in the Church.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to Orrico and UMG for further statement.
Christian singer Stacie Orrico has named Universal Music Group and her ex manager Britt Ham in a lawsuit alleging he sexually abused her when she was 14. Pictured 2004
Orrico says that in July 2001, she and Ham traveled to Los Angeles to rehearse for a concert.
During that time, Orrico claimed Ham summoned her to his room at the Sofitel hotel, where she claims that he kissed her, touched her genitalia and rubbed his erect penis against her body before he ejaculated.
Another instance of similar behavior occurred the month after, Orrico said in her legal filing.
Orrico said her former manager was ‘digitally penetrating [her] genitals and rubbing his erect penis against [her] body until he ejaculated.’
Orrico claimed in her court filing that Ham had intercourse with her in 2003, when she was 17.
Orrico said in her court filing that music execs with Electric and Music Industries (EMI), later purchased by UMG, ‘failed to take proactive steps’ involving her former manager.
Orrico claimed in her court filing that she cut ties with Ham in March of 2004, when she was 18.
She said her musical career abruptly ended in 2007 when she departed ForeFront and Virgin Records.
Orrico said she experienced trauma in the form of anxiety, panic attacks and depression due to the sexual abuse she experienced in the prior years.
Orrico pictured with spouse Isaiah Johnson at a 2019 event in Beverly Hills, California
Orrico claimed in her court filing that she cut ties with Ham in March of 2004, when she was 18. Pictured 2006 in Seoul
One of Orrico’s lawyers, Mo Hamoudi, said in a statement that the singer’s ‘case is a chilling account of a child whose love for God and whose extraordinary talent drew the attention of an industry that saw profit, not protection.
‘Instead of safeguarding her, they allowed her to be abused while others made money, leaving her exposed to the darkest corners of their own system.’
Another one of Orrico’s lawyers, Micha Star Liberty, said the singer ‘brings this suit to stand up for her teenage self against the industry that victim shamed her and threw her away.
‘And to give voice to the many other child artists who have been preyed upon by the adults and institutions that were supposed to safeguard them.’
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text the phrase ‘STRENGTH’ to 741-741 to speak to a crisis counselor.
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