Steven Tyler opens home for abused girls
'When I said ‘Janie’s got a gun’ — she doesn’t need that gun now. Janie’s got a fund'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Almost 30 years ago, Steven Tyler co-wrote the song "Janie's Got a Gun” for Aerosmith, hoping to raise awareness of domestic abuse against women.
After all those years, the iconic singer has gone one step further and opened Janie's House, a home in Atlanta for abused and neglected girls, a project he has been deeply involved with.
“This has been something I’ve thought about since writing ‘Janie’s Got a Gun’,” Tyler told an audience while opening the home. “I didn’t know who Janie was or why she had a gun, but the voice inside my head said keep going.
“For this place to be here and for it to be called Janie’s house, it’s just a dream come true. When I said ‘Janie’s got a gun’ — she doesn’t need that gun now. Janie’s got a fund.”
Following the speech, the singer toured the 30-room facility which was set up using money from Janie's Fund, something Tyler established back in 2015.
Speaking to CNN, Tyler said that, while in rehab many years ago, he met many women who were there partly because of struggles resulting from abuse.
"While I was in (rehab), I found out most of women in there were battered and beaten and abused verbally and sexually in huge numbers," he told the publication. "It was like seven out of 10, eight out of 10.”
The song ‘Janie's Got a Gun’ was written following time in rehab, the frontman often calling it the band’s most beautiful composition. The song’s powerful music video was directed by Oscar-Winner David Fincher and helped bring the song to a mass audience.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments