'We Are Proud': Surviving R. Kelly Producers and Lifetime Respond to Singer's Indictment

The team behind Surviving R. Kelly react to news the singer has been indicted on 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse

News that R&B star R. Kelly has been indicted on 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse has spread quickly through the ranks at Lifetime Network, which created and aired the shocking six-part docu-series Surviving R. Kelly in January.

“We are proud that Lifetime was able to provide a platform for survivors to be heard,” the network and producers of the documentary told PEOPLE Friday in a statement.

Surviving R. Kelly featured wide-ranging interviews with R. Kelly’s family members, former friends and colleagues, but most notably, women who claim that for decades the hit-making singer and producer used his power and influence to sexually and physically abuse women and young girls.

Lifetime / NeueHouse NY Luminaries Present 'Surviving R. Kelly' With Civil Rights Activists And Survivors
Chance Yeh/Getty

Following public outcry, which included celebrities like John Legend and Lady Gaga speaking out against the hit singer, Illinois’ Cook County District Attorney Kim Foxx put out a call for victims and new evidence against the Chicago native.

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R. Kelly. Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic

Now less than two months later, Foxx has announced that the R&B star, 52, has been charged with the sexual abuse of four women, three of whom are said to have been under the age of 17 at the time of the acts. CNN reports that evidence in the new case includes a VHS tape that allegedly shows Kelly and one of the victims who can be heard referring to her “14-year-old” genitalia. (PEOPLE has not viewed the tape, and can not independently verify its contents.)

RELATED VIDEO: Lawyer for R. Kelly Denies All Sexual Abuse Allegations Against the R&B Singer

Both Kelly’s attorney, Steven Greenberg, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office did not immediately reply to PEOPLE’s request for comment. Kelly, however, has repeatedly denied all accusations of sexual abuse or misconduct made against him.

According to Foxx, Kelly is expected to arrive in court on Saturday. In 2008, a Cook County jury found Kelly not guilty on 14 counts of child pornography charges.

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Shayan Asgharnia

Prior to the news of the indictment Lifetime announced that they will re-air Surviving R. Kelly on Monday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m., followed by a special airing of Jada Pinkett Smith’s Red Table Talk centered on the topic of R. Kelly.

If you suspect domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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