Republican Men Don’t Have Time To Listen To Sexual Assault Victims

By Rick Smith

September 26, 2018

It’s likely only Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford know if the sexual allegations about his behavior are true. Before we can evaluate the validity of Dr. Ford’s allegations (and other victims coming forward), we must all agree that her description is of an unacceptable physical sexual assault. Instead, Republicans are attempting to whitewash this alleged violent criminal behavior. They are calling it “rough horse play,” “just teenage behavior” and “boys will be boys.”

This alleged behavior must be condemned in the most powerful terms. Holding a woman down, climbing on top of her, using his hand to hold her mouth shut and attempting to take off her swimsuit is a criminal act.

This is not consensual sexual activity. We must all agree that the described act is totally unacceptable and we must speak with one voice to end this type of violence against women. It’s disgusting that many Republican leaders are talking like the #MeToo women’s movement never happened.

We have seen many once respected and powerful men like Bill Cosby, Charlie Rose and Matt Lauer have their careers and reputations destroyed by their past actions and revelations about their assaults on women. That should remind us that they were allowed to practice their predatory behavior for so long because allegations were dismissed, downplayed or deemed acceptable. Republican leaders must be reminded to never again dismiss sexual assaults on women.

Condemning this alleged assault should be the focus of Senator Grassley’s judicial hearing with Dr. Ford. For Republicans and their supporters to characterize this alleged criminal act as “horse play” is a repudiation of all the progress made by the #MeToo movement. Senator Grassley’s refusal to hold comprehensive hearings on these allegations is an affront to all women. Republican leaders who refuse to investigate these serious allegations are living in the past. We must demand that Senator Grassley conduct a thorough investigation by calling all the appropriate witnesses.

This statement from James Roche, Kavanaugh’s Yale roommate, in 1983 should provide significant concern.

“It is from this experience that I concluded that although Brett was normally reserved, he was a notably heavy drinker, even by the standards of the time, and that he became aggressive and belligerent when he was very drunk,” Roche said. “I did not observe the specific incident in question, but I do remember Brett frequently drinking excessively and becoming incoherently drunk,” he said.

This statement suggests additional hearings are required.  How can Kavanaugh’s credibility be established if his memory was blurred by excessive drinking?

Insulter and Chief President Trump initially held off on attacking Dr. Ford, the first woman to come forward accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kevanaugh of sexual assault. However, Trump finally let loose saying the 15-year-old should have called the police.

“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. I ask that she bring those filings forward so that we can learn date, time, and place,” Trump tweeted.

Trump as the leader of the Republican Party is once again blaming the victim, Dr. Ford. One in six American women will experience rape or attempted rape in their lifetime and one in four college women will suffer an unwanted sexual contact. Failing to properly investigate Dr. Ford’s allegations will simply embolden men to continue the assaults on women.

Recall last December, Trump endorsed Alabama U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore, who had been abandoned by most Republicans after he was accused of sexual misconduct with underage girls. Now he has endorsed Kavanaugh with the same unquestioning loyalty.

Republican Senator Orrin Hatch said Ford must be “mixed up” about the alleged assault. He made that statement before hearing the evidence and testimony of Dr. Ford. Hatch’s comment insults Dr. Ford’s credibility with no proof.

Evangelical leader Franklin Graham called Dr. Ford’s allegations irrelevant and dismissed the severity of the allegations.

“Well, there wasn’t a crime committed. These are two teenagers and it’s obvious that she said no and he respected it and walked away, “said Graham.

Where is Graham’s moral outrage for an attack on a 15-year-old teenage girl? The sexual scandal within the Catholic Church should awaken every religious leader to defend our children from seemingly respectable men.

The #MeToo movement has brought to light this culture of sexual assault. Yet Republicans and their supporters are intentionally dismissing the serious sexual assaults by not thoroughly investigating the latest victims’ accusations. Failure to defend the victims of sexual of assault suggests Republican leadership is only interested in political expediency.

 

by Rick Smith
Posted 9/26/18

CATEGORIES: Uncategorized

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