7 Reactions to the Kavanaugh Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Rachael Denhollander: Conservatives attacking Ford is "shameful"
Rachel Denhollander, an evangelical Christian, attorney, and former gymnast who took the lead in exposing the extensive sexual abuse of USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, stressed the importance of listening to accusers no matter how long it takes for them to disclose what happened. Denhollander has also spoken out at great length about the sexual abuse at Sovereign Grace Ministries.
"'Why'd you wait so long?' Here's a big part of why: Because for years I watched family and friends eviscerate sexual assault victims who spoke up against a candidate, team, pastor, ministry or local friend they liked, and I got the message loud and clear," she said on Twitter in light of the Kavanaugh accuser coming forward.
"And that showed me what they REALLY thought about abuse and what they REALLY thought about victims, when sexual abuse wasn't an easy thing to condemn. I knew it meant if faced with a choice between a survivor and their favorite 'whatever,' they'd attack the survivor."
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Similar dynamics are operating now on the political right given the circumstances, she added, noting that conservatives were attacking Ford and that it is "shameful."
"Conservatives, you want to be the party of family values? You want to be pro-woman and pro-child? Then start by taking claims of sexual assault seriously instead of using poor logic, straw men and ad hominems to avoid the issue. Otherwise, you are part of the cultural problem," she said.
"And yes, I'm saying that as a conservative evangelical (in case anyone has missed that). Why? Because those closest to the abuse and enabling are the only ones able to change things. What you do when it's in your own community is what makes the difference."
