Oscars 2016: Kesha thanks Lady Gaga and Joe Biden for taking a stand for survivors of sexual assault

Lady Gaga stood with sexual assault survivors for the performance

Lady Gaga (C) performs onstage during the 88th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre (Getty Images)

The singer Kesha has thanked Lady Gaga and Joe Biden for addressing sexual assault at the Oscars.

The Vice President of the United States called for a change of culture that would prevent survivors of rape for feeling in some way to blame before introducing Lady Gaga as “my friend and a courageous lady herself”.

"Despite significant progress over the last few years, too many women and men on and off college campuses are victims of sexual abuse,“ Mr Biden said.

”We must and we can change the culture so that no abused woman or man - like the survivors you see here tonight - ever feel like they have to ask themselves, 'What did I do?' They did not do anything wrong."

Gaga gave a powerful performance of “Til It Happens to You” with survivors of sexual assault standing on stage by her side. The song was co-written by Diane Warren for The Hunting Ground, a documentary about the prevalence of sexual abuse on student campuses.

Kesha thanked Mr Biden and Gaga after the performance, which came just over a week after a judge ruled the singer could not make music outside of her contract with Dr Sony producer Dr Luke, who she alleges sexually abused her.

Dr Luke strenuously denies any allegations against him as “outright lies that have been advanced to extort a contract renegotiation and money”. He is countersuing Kesha for defamation and claims he has been subject to a “vicious smear campaign to ruin his reputation for financial gain”.

Gaga has spoken out about her own alleged sexual assault in the past and has expressed her support for Kesha on numerous occasions.