Lady Gaga dedicated her Oscars performance of ‘Til It Happens To You, a track written about sexual assault for documentary The Hunting Ground, to singer Ke$ha in the wake of her legal battle with music producer Dr Luke.

And while there are a handful of artists (most recently Adele) who have also shown their support for Ke$ha - a judge has ruled that she cannot break her contract with the producer accused of drugging and raping her - Gaga has now cast light on why she believes a large number of artists have held back.

Discussing why women in the music industry, including those who have themselves also experienced sexual abuse or harassment at the hands of colleagues, rarely come forward, Gaga tells US radio show host Carson Daly:

“Nobody wants to say anything implicitly against anyone. Number one, because none of us are vindictive people. We don’t want to hurt anybody.

“But number two, I think everyone’s really afraid of somebody coming after them. And that’s just the way that this business works.

“You know, if you don’t keep quiet, somebody will be litigious against you and come after you. We’re all trying to be careful with the way we say things for that reason.

“I’m trying to be standing by [Ke$ha], but I’m also trying to protect myself and my family and it’s a very complicated thing.”

Gaga also touched on the culture of victim blaming, noting the way in which many have been quick to rubbish Ke$ha’s claims, or accuse her of lying.

“I just want to stand by her side because I can’t watch another woman that went through what I’ve been through suffer, you know? And have everyone have a go at her as if, you know, she’s lying.”

“I talk to her every day. I’m friends with her personally and what I’m watching her go through is not only something I’ve been through, but something that’s really devastating to witness.”

Ke$ha has herself also issued new comments about her current battle, while accepting a Human Rights Campaign award for her work with the LGBT community.

During her speech, the singer says: “I'm going through some personal things that have been really intense. I just want to say thank you for any support I’ve received.

“My message today is don't be afraid to speak up against any injustice you experience. Don't let people scare or shame you into changing the things about you that make you unique.

“We all have to fight for what is right, even if the cards are stacked against us. That's the only way that progress happens.”

In an additional development, American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson has also discussed her feelings surrounding producer Dr Luke, having previously worked with him on tracks including Since You Been Gone.

Though the singer sent a fairly cryptic tweet immediately following the judge's ruling in Ke$ha’s case, she has - until now - been reluctant to comment any further.

In an interview with Kyle and Jackie O on Australia's KIIS 106.5 radio however, Clarkson reveals: “I can remark on [Dr Luke's] character, and unfortunately, when you have that poor a character, like, so many artists don't like you, don't like working with you, that's not normal… he's just not a good guy, for me.

“Obviously, he's a talented dude. He's just lied a lot and just his character -  I've run into a couple of really bad situations. Like, musically it's been really hard for me because he just will lie to people, so it's like, ‘What?’

“It makes the artist look bad. And he's kind of difficult to work with, kind of demeaning. It's just kind of unfortunate.

The singer even goes on to explain how she was blackmailed into working with Dr Luke by her record label RCA, who she has recently parted ways with.

“I only worked with him because literally I got blackmailed by my label. They were like,’ we will not put your album [out] if you don't do this’."

Discussing why she hasn't been more vocal in supporting Ke$ha, Clarkson says: “I'll be really honest about the guy, but I don't know that situation.”