In a shocking new lawsuit, Steven Tyler has been accused by a woman of sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress upon her when she was a minor. According to court documents obtained by Rolling Stone on December 29, the plaintiff, Julia Holcomb, also claimed that Tyler coerced her into getting an abortion as a minor. Although Holcomb never names Tyler explicitly, their relationship has been previously discussed by both parties.
Reportedly meeting Tyler in 1973 at an Aerosmith concert when she was 16, Holcomb claimed that Tyler, knowing her age, “performed various acts of criminal sexual conduct” on her that night. In 1974, the rocker also reportedly became Holcomb’s legal guardian — with her mother’s permission. As Holcomb’s lawsuit describes, Tyler failed in his guardian duties, continuing to “travel with, assault and provide alcohol and drugs to” her. When Holcomb allegedly became pregnant with Tyler’s son in 1975, she claims he threatened her into an abortion. She parted ways with him shortly after that, becoming a Christian anti-abortion activist, as per Newsweek.
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Tyler’s 2011 memoir, “Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?,” admitted to almost adopting “a teen bride,” claiming that her parents “fell in love with me [and] signed a paper over for me to have custody.” Tyler also fondly described the girl as “my partner in crimes of passion.” In her lawsuit, Holcomb calls the book a false narrative of a “romantic, loving relationship.”
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
