The coverage of Kesha’s ongoing legal battle with Sony (she says that her contracted producer, Dr. Luke, assaulted her) has been, in some cases, sadly exploitative. When we write about victims who we’ve always known through their celebrity status, we often forget that they are, privately, survivors: real people with complicated feelings about their own life and the things they’ve experienced. In writing and talking about what they’ve been through, we often miss the mark. We generalize. We assume.

But in Kesha’s case, one writer was able to get and share real insight into by speaking with her mother, Pebe Sebert. Sebert spoke with Billboard contributor Danielle Bacher about her daughter's experiences with Dr. Luke, who she alleges was abusive towards her for 10 years. As Pebe told Bacher, Kesha "was a prisoner. It was like someone who beats you every day and hangs you from a chain and then comes in and gives you a piece of bread. Luke would say, 'You look nice today,' and send her into ­hysterics of happiness because she was programmed to expect nothing but abuse."

Bacher also recently interviewed comedian Margaret Cho and musician Amber Coffman of Dirty Projectors about their experiences as victims of sexual assault. Over email, Bacher talked to Teen Vogue about how the interviews with Kesha’s mom came to be, what her experiences were regarding talking to insiders about something so often covered up, and why stories like these are so important.

Teen Vogue: How many hours did you spend on the phone with Pebe? It seemed like such an exhaustive process, like you really got to know her.

Danielle Bacher: I would estimate Pebe and I spent around 15 hours on the phone over the course of two weeks. We communicated through emails and texts as well.

TV: Did Pebe speak about any of her own experiences in the industry?

DB: She only spoke about negative experiences with Luke and Kesha, but she has told me she's heard of other musicians who have had similar experiences with other men in the industry.

TV: Was it difficult to find music producers, PR people, executives, and other people inside the story to comment?

DB: At first, it was extremely hard. We talked to a lot of executives off the record. I received a ton of help from Shirley Halperin and my editor Nick Catucci, and I was fortunate to get interviews on record with artists. The entire Billboard team also helped out with talking to lawyers and crisis managers for Kesha and Luke. It wasn't an easy process, but we really dug in and contacted everyone involved in the story.

TV: Do you think this exclusive with her mother will help people see a more whole version of the case than what's been in the press up until now?

DB: I think so. This is the first time that she's spoken out on what seems like a horrific situation. But I think her mother really wanted Kesha's story out. I think it was hard for her to watch her daughter experience so much heartache stemming from the alleged abuse.

TV: All in all, what first attracted you do doing this story?

DB: I've done some other in-depth reportage for Billboard, and I had spoken with them about doing this one. I think it's an extremely important story, and I was determined to find out as much as I could. I'm fortunate that Billboard allowed me to write it.

I think stories like this are beneficial for people to read. Being a woman in the industry, I've heard many stories about men taking advantage of women. I think it's important for anyone to speak out if they have been abused, assaulted, or raped. People should never be silenced. If this rape did, in fact, happen to Kesha, I think it's also great that her mother had the courage to stand up for her.

Related: Sony Reportedly May End Their Contract With Kesha's Alleged Abuser

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