Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON–“I thought he might inadvertently kill me,” Dr. Christine Blasey Ford has said about the sexual assault perpetrated by Brett Kavanaugh. Dr. Blasey was afraid for her life, and criminal conduct that put her life in danger must be investigated.

NOW supports calls made by Anita Hill, among others, for a truly independent, neutral investigative body with training in trauma-informed investigations to make a report to the committee. Dr. Blasey has said she is willing to appear before the committee next week, and she deserves to be treated with respect, and sensitivity to the trauma she has endured as a result of her assault.

Dr. Blasey also deserves the full measure of justice for new threats to her life and safety. She and her family are unable to safely occupy their home, and she continues to receive death threats and vicious attacks on social media. We know that these threats can spread like wildfire, inciting violence and extremism. NOW calls for law enforcement to investigate these threats and to provide protection for her and her loved ones.

NOW supports Dr. Christine Blasey Ford as she seeks an appropriate and serious hearing. And we also support her right to justice from a legal system that has failed for too many, for too long. Enough is Enough.

Contact

Brittany T. Oliver, comms@now.org, 202-628-8669