Demi Lovato explains 'Taylor Swift' tweets, says helping victims is what matters

Demi Lovato has explained a series of tweets in which she appeared to be critical of Taylor Swift.

The singer wrote that she was "ready for self-proclaimed feminists to start speaking out or taking action for women's rights".

This was before Taylor donated $250,000 (£177,000) to Kesha, who's been in court trying to get out of her contract with producer Dr Luke and Sony Music.

After this was announced, Demi posted:

"Take something to Capitol Hill or actually speak out about something and then I'll be impressed."

Many have taken this as a cue to have a conversation about "fake feminism" or what actions help women more.

Fans have also been talking about which is the most authentic thing to do - speaking out or donating money?

Demi Lovato has now written a long message on Instagram saying all she wants is for women to come together and that sometimes "my passion gets the best of me and causes me to say things that I probably shouldn't say".

Demi Lovato posted this infographic on her Instagram feed.

In the message, the 23-year-old singer and former X Factor USA judge also says that her real desire is to help people, especially women, who've been abused or sexually assaulted.

"Our focus should be on the topic of victims of sexual and physical abuse being afraid to come forward with their stories," she writes.

"They're more likely to face retaliation and harassment than to see justice being served. Especially women.

Demi Lovato performed in Radio 1's Live Lounge Month last September

"It baffles me that when it comes to serious issues like equality and abuse, too often women are not taken as seriously as men.

"All I want to see is women coming together and actually making a difference. A real change and shift in society.

"Everyone has their own way of giving support to others, and at the end of the day, helping victims is all that matters.

"Ultimately, the message I want people to hear is it's okay to come forward with your abuse and if you do decide to take action, you are not alone."

Demi Lovato also sang at Radio 1's Teen Awards in November

Demi Lovato came out in support of Kesha last week, using the hashtag #FreeKesha.

She also posted a graphic on Instagram, along with her message, from America's Enliven Project which shows the percentage of rapists who are reported to police, put on trial, jailed and falsely accused compared to the number who go unreported.

According to Rape Crisis, around 85,000 women and 12,000 men are raped every year in England and Wales.

But they say only around 15% of those who experience sexual violence choose to report to the police and 5.7% of reported rape cases end in a conviction.

Music producer Dr Luke has denied claims by Kesha that he raped her and had sex with her.

Tweeting on Monday night, he said the singer had been like his "little sister" and that cases "should be resolved in court, not on Twitter".

The allegations date back to 2005 when Kesha was 18 and soon after she signed with Dr Luke. He has never been charged.

Dr Luke, whose real name is Luckas Gottwald, says he fears the claims made against him are damaging his reputation.

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