Serena says, 'I am deeply sorry for what was written in
the Rolling Stone article,' adding that what she supposedly said 'is
insensitive and hurtful.'
Serena Williams issues a statement in response to the
controversy surrounding her comment written on a Rolling Stone article about
the infamous Steubenville rape case. While offering an apology, she implies
that she was misquoted in the article.
"What happened in Steubenville was a real shock for
me. I was deeply saddened. For someone to be raped, and at only sixteen, is
such a horrible tragedy! For both families involved - that of the rape victim
and of the accused," the tennis champion begins.
"I am currently reaching out to the girl's family to
let her know that I am deeply sorry for what was written in the Rolling Stone
article. What was written - what I supposedly said - is insensitive and
hurtful, and I by no means would say or insinuate that she was at all to
blame."
"I have fought all of my career for women's
equality, women's equal rights, respect in their fields - anything I could do
to support women I have done. My prayers and support always goes out to the
rape victim. In this case, most especially, to an innocent sixteen year old
child," she concludes.
Serena drew criticisms after Rolling Stone quoted her,
"I'm not blaming the girl, but if you're a 16-year-old and you're drunk
like that, your parents should teach you: Don't take drinks from other people.
She's 16, why was she that drunk where she doesn't remember? It could have been
much worse. She's lucky."
