Several news stories over the past couple years have brought up a serious question — how do sexual predators keep their behavior a secret so long?
The answer is, people do find out — and they don’t speak up.
Ryan Adams‘ guitarist admits in a new Instagram post that he begged the singer-songwriter to get help.
Related: Mandy Moore Talks Ryan And More On WTF
In case you haven’t seen, Ryan has been accused by numerous women of using his position to prey on young girls looking for musical success — including an underage teen with whom he shared explicit sexual messages.
Now Todd Wisenbaker is coming forward to confirm the stories about his friend — and explain why he never spoke up before:
“There were times when I chose to believe his insane version of the truth because it was easier than believing that anyone is capable of being this much of a monster. It’s sickening and embarrassing. I’ve recently learned that pretty much everything he’s ever told me is a lie upon a lie upon a lie.”
Is it possible for a coworker to go all that time and not see it going down? Possible, sure. But it isn’t what happened.
Later in the same post Wisenbaker writes:
“Some time ago I told him to get help and he asked me to help him. I don’t regret and will never regret trying to help someone in real need”
So he didn’t know and believed all the lies… but still told his friend to get help? If you didn’t know, why would you tell him to get help? Get help for what?
Related: Singer Karen Elson Adds Her Story To Ryan Accusations
It seems like he’s saying he did know what his friend was and decided not to out him because he didn’t want to rock the boat.
It’s like he said in his first sentence: he “chose to believe” Ryan’s version. Because it was “easier.”
This is what accuser Phoebe Bridgers was talking about when she said Ryan’s “network” let him keep up his predatory pattern. It doesn’t mean cheering on — just turning a blind eye. And it’s something too many people have been doing for too long.
Wisenbaker concludes by saying he “didn’t want to say anything” even now because he’s “actively afraid for the safety of my family.” Afraid of whom? Of RYAN??
Read the whole post and let us know what YOU think (below):
[Image via Ryan Adams/Todd Wisenbaker/Instagram.]