A couple of local professionals who work with sexual assault victims weighed in on Thursday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., that pitted Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s claims of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s denial.
Ford’s testimony that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her during high school over 35 years ago, was followed by the nominee’s testimony that the claim was false. Despite pleas from Senate Democrats to hold off on the vote until an FBI investigation is conducted on the allegations against Kavanaugh, it appears the Republican-controlled Senate will vote on his nomination today. A second accuser, Deborah Ramirez, also came forward with allegations that Kavanaugh exposed himself to her when both were in college. She didn’t participate in the hearing, however.
Mikele Bay, director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of McKean County, said she is “extremely curious to see where this is going” given the current #MeToo movement that has brought down prominent men and celebrities who include Bill Cosby, who was sentenced this week to state prison for sexual assault.
Bay said no matter what the outcome is with the expected Senate vote, she admires Ford for testifying about the alleged assault from more than three decades ago.
“We recognize that there’s a lot of guilt and shame and embarrassment that goes along with victimization,” Bay said of testimony by victims. “Beyond that, we can see there are others who have gone through those steps before and have reached out to law enforcement or a victim advocate to tell their story.”
Bay said she believes the current atmosphere “is a great moment” for the community and all professionals who work with victims of sexual assault, both young and old.
“This is a teachable moment, it gives us a reason to get out into the community and educate others on why a child or teenager doesn’t disclose abuse and why they are coming forward 20, 30 and 40 years later,” Bay continued. “It’s because of the stigma attached to it.
“We’re kind of using (the #MeToo movement) as a chance to get out into the community and explain the reason why a victim wouldn’t feel ready or able to talk about their victimization as soon as it happens.”
Bay said Ford was brave and strong in going through with her testimony in the face of adversity that reportedly included death threats and harassment.
Bay further noted that providing victims the opportunity to share their narratives, no matter the outcome, is empowering and can provoke a true change for them.
“I think most often it allows (victims) control in an environment where they haven’t (had control), she said. “That’s a huge thing for victims.”
Shelley Alcorn, sexual assault counselor/advocate at the YWCA Bradford, also provided thoughts on the hearing.
“I think sometimes in society, (the topic) is kind of taboo, you don’t want to talk about it or acknowledge it exists,” Alcorn said. “But I think that the more people who come out, and the more public they make it, it will help other people feel it’s ok to step forward and say ‘this had happened to me.’”
Alcorn said sexual assault is completely different than physical abuse.
“You don’t always have the bruises or the scars outside … so a lot of victims feel like they are alone and nobody else could have possibly gone through this,” she conjectured. “I think it almost gives a voice to people who aren’t ready, but shows them there are people out there who’ve gone through something similar.”
Alcorn was in accord with Bay on the benefit for victims speaking about their abuse, no matter if they are believed or not.
“It seems the more you talk about it, the more you desensitize yourself to it and the more comfortable you are talking about it,” she commented. “Whereas, if you shut your brain off from it and pretend it didn’t happen, it can be more detrimental.”
She said burying the sexual assault for years can result in “flooding memories” that the victim is unsure how to process.
“That’s when your mental health can potentially decline,” she stated.
