Woman Comes Forward to Say She was Raped by Musician

A prominent musician in the Portland music scene took to Facebook Saturday night and admitted to having sexually assaulted a woman. In the comments section, someone suggested the musician own up to previous attacks.

On Wednesday, a woman came forward to the Portland Mercury to say she was that person, that she had been attacked by Joel Magid six years ago.

Magid had written on Facebook that he had done something "reprehensible that I need to own up to."

Magid conceded that Facebook may not be be the ideal forum, but I am trying to inform as many people as possible.

"I recently sexually assaulted someone."

Magid writes that he pulled out his penis and "forcibly lifted the woman's skirt. A friend intervened and stopped my behavior. I was blacked out drunk when this happened and don’t remember any of the situation. That doesn’t excuse what I did.

"Nothing excuses what I did. Sexual assault is horrific, disgusting, and inexcusable."

Magid, who is known around town for his albums "Pyramids" and Hyenas," writes that he is not looking for sympathy, that he is just trying to be "honest and accountable for my behavior."

He apologizes to many people - his victim first - including the person who intervened.

"I am sorry to all my friends, my family and my partner, and especially to the all too-many of you who are sexual assault survivors," he writes. "I know I’ve let you down."

Magid says that he hopes people will use his story an inspiration.

"I also encourage others who have done this in the past to come forward and take responsibility. Because you do something really, really bad doesn’t make you a bad person, but hiding from what you’ve done certainly doesn’t make you a good one."

Patch has reached out Magid in an effort to get more information.

On Wednesday, a woman who calls herself Wanda Bones wrote on Facebook that she was a previous victim of Magid''s.

"For the past 2 days I have been living in hell," Ordway wrote in her Facebook post, which she gave the Portland Mercury permission to share. "I have recently discovered that the man who sexually assaulted (i.e. raped) me almost 6 years ago has publicly announced his apology to his most current victim... I would love to be presented with a half assed apology 6 years too late for what you did to me, still waiting bud. Now let me fill you in on some things that I have gone through for the past 6 years."

Bones says that she filed a police report against Magid on Wednesday.

Portland Police spokesman Sergeant Pete Simpson says the bureau is aware of the situation.

"The Sex Crimes Unit is aware of the post," Simpson told Patch. "At this point, no victim has come forward to file a report with police.

"Investigators are concerned that any publicity about the post may hinder a victim from coming forward to police. While we encourage victims to come forward to police, we do offer several alternatives that may appeal to victims instead of reporting to police."

Simpson says that the police bureau collaborates with government agencies and community organizations that provide access to advocacy services to victims of sexual assaults. A victim may be accompanied by a sexual assault advocate or other appropriate support person during the reporting process and/or criminal investigation.

Multnomah County Victims' Assistance Program: Provides support during the reporting of sexual assaults and referrals to victim services and resources: 503-988-3270.

Call to Safety (formerly the Portland Women's Crisis Line): Provides access to advocacy services, including confidential peer support, information and referrals to community resources. 24 hour crisis line: 503-235-5333, 1-888-235-5333, or https://calltosafety.org/

Project UNICA (Proyecto UNICA): Provides access to advocacy services for Spanish-speaking survivors of domestic and sexual violence. 24 hour crisis line: 503-232-4448, or 1-888-232-4448.

Additionally, the Portland Police Bureau Strength programs provide free self-defense classes and personal safety workshops to people around the Portland area.

To learn more information about these programs, call 503-823-0260 or visit http://www.portlandonline.com/police/womenstrength