Almost a year ago the #MeToo movement gained ground, circulating on various social media platforms with thousands of women and men across the globe sharing their stories of sexual assault and harassment.
People called for change and support — most importantly, a chance to heal.
Foolishly, I thought better days were ahead, that survivors would be treated with respect and validity, but Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s Senate Confirmation Hearings suggest otherwise.
Kavanaugh, who was nominated by President Donald Trump for the Supreme Court, has been accused by two women of sexual misconduct.
The first, Christine Blasey Ford, a professor at Palo Alto University, said he and a classmate locked her in a bedroom while at a party in 1982, according to USA Today.
The 51-year-old said she was held down by Kavanaugh, who put his hand over her mouth and attempted to remove her clothes. Ford was 15 years old at the time, while he was 17.
But rather than supporting this woman or hearing her out, she’s been demonized and attacked for not telling her story earlier and the way many expect or want her to.
Trump even tweeted, “I have no doubt that, if the attack on Dr. Ford was as bad as she says, charges would have been immediately filed with local Law Enforcement Authorities by either her or her loving parents.”
Victims of sexual misconduct don’t come forward for a variety of reasons — primarily fear of not being believed or retaliation.
“Out of every 1,000 sexual assaults, 310 are reported to the police,” according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) — making these offenses one of the most underreported crimes.
I don’t know a single person who would come forward so publicly with such a serious allegation, if it wasn’t true. No one would willingly put themselves in the spotlight only to be ripped to shreds — there are too many stakes at play.
Earlier this week, another woman came forward, Deborah Ramirez, a classmate of Kavanaugh’s at Yale University. Ramirez said he exposed himself to her, shoving his groin in her face while the two were at a party. They were reportedly playing a drinking game before the incident.
The Senate hearings run seemingly parallel to former Judge Clarence Thomas, who was nominated for the Supreme Court in 1991 by President George H. W. Bush, The New York Times reports.
Thomas was accused of sexually harassing Anita Hill when the two worked together at the United States Department of Education.
When Hill came forward with the allegations, she was treated similarly to Ford — criticized for her actions while Thomas wasn’t. Only recently have people apologized to her for their behavior during the hearings.
Hill wasn’t believed then, and it seems Ford, Ramirez or any other women who come forward won’t be now.
Why don’t we offer the same courtesy to victims as we do perpetrators — innocent until proven guilty? False reporting occurs in less than 8 percent of cases, RAINN officials note.
If people are so concerned these women are lying, then actually investigate their claims rather than rushing the process and setting a precedent for continuing not to believe victims when they come forward.
If confirmed, Kavanaugh — 53 years old — will serve for several decades. What is a month-long investigation in what could be a 30-year career? Nothing.
Olivia Heersink can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @heersinkolivia