Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go’s Accuses Radio DJ Rodney Bingenheimer of Sexual Assault

Content Warning: The following article discusses sexual assault and rape.

American musician Jane Wiedlin, the guitarist and co-founder of the Go-Go’s, has accused radio DJ Rodney Bingenheimer of sexual abuse when she was a teenager, as reported by Rolling Stone. Wiedlin is the latest among several women who have come forward with accusations against Bingenheimer, who was the long-time host of ROQ on Los Angeles’ KROQ-FM.

The alleged incident took place when Wiedlin was 15 years old and Bingenheimer was 27. The DJ is accused of assaulting the musician in a back room of a Los Angeles nightclub. Wiedlin described feeling frozen and helpless as he assaulted her. Despite Bingenheimer playing a role in the success of the Go-Go’s, Wiedlin has strongly condemned his actions, calling him a “monster.”

Jane Wiedlin: “I should have said no, but I didn’t”

Wiedlin shared her memories of that night in the Rolling Stone article. “I should have said no, but I didn’t. It wasn’t anything I asked for, but at the same time I wanted to be a sexy young adult or whatever,” she said.

“It’s very tangly in my mind,” she added. “At this stage, I think, ‘Fuck that guy.’ That was wrong. Even if I had asked him to do something, which I didn’t, it wouldn’t have been right. It was illegal and immoral.”

Wiedlin’s accusation follows a lawsuit filed last year by Kari Krome, a founding member of the Runaways. Krome accused Bingenheimer and record producer Kim Fowley of sexual assault during her teenage years. The lawsuit is still active and Bingenheimer is yet to face charges for any offence.

If you need assistance, 1800 RESPECT – the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service — can be reached on 1800 737 732.

For help or information regarding mental health, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

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