Domestic violence groups speak out

Domestic violence groups have condemned Conor Oberst's decision to file a $1 million lawsuit against a woman who accused him of rape.

Oberst has called Joanie Faircloth an "embittered superfan" whose "lies" have "damaged his reputation", and is suing her for $1 million for defamation. Faircloth originally made the accusations on anonymous posting website XOJane in December 2013, and claimed Oberst raped her and punched her in the face after meeting her backstage at a concert in the early 2000s.

The post, titled "I Dated A Famous Rock Star & All I Got Was Punched In the Face" sent shockwaves around the world, and reported on by various media news outlets.

However, domestic violence group Right to Speak Out is urging Oberst, best known for his work under the name Bright Eyes, to drop the lawsuit against Faircloth.

"Ms. Faircloth did not send out a press release or seek personal benefits, but rather was communicating with peers," say Right to Speak Out of Faircloth's claims.

"According to a February 19th statement by Oberst's representative, all proceeds from the lawsuit will go to charities for victims of domestic violence," Right to Speak Out added. "As an organization dedicated to mitigating the harm that lawsuits like Oberst's stem from and amplify, we find this more than ironic.

"It is offensive to imply that filing such a lawsuit is a respectable way to procure money regardless of what he declares he intends to do with it," they continued. "Even if Ms. Faircloth was not truthful, vilifying discussion of sexual assault by filing such a lawsuit only adds to the problem of under-reporting that enables sexual assault to proliferate at alarming rates."

Ms Faircloth is yet to make a comment on the incident.