“This is a sad day for victims of sexual violence.”
Commenters on social media reacted with outrage Monday after media reports revealed that Christine Blasey Ford had been named “Person of the Year” by an organization whose stated mission is to eliminate sexual violence.
RALIANCE awarded Ford, who accused Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault last year, with the honor for her “global impact” on “survivors of sexual assault.”
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“Dr. Ford’s sacrifice in sharing her experience, and the difficulties she subsequently endured, brought much-needed attention to the importance of supporting and believing survivors,” the organization said in a press release. RALIANCE said it will be honoring Ford next week in Washington, D.C.
Many commenters on social media took issue with the announcement.
Reaction to the story on Twitter was swift, with one user calling the news a “sad day for victims of sexual violence”.
This is sad for victims of sexual violence.
— Sherie? (@PunkDaisy01) March 25, 2019
Other users slammed the organization for picking someone political to win the award.
Great we dont even know if it happened, there are so many more deserving individual that are not political!
— JC (@JC94826468) March 25, 2019
“There are so many more deserving individual that are not political,” one commenter tweeted..
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Another joked that the award was given to the person who went to “extraordinary lengths” to protect the “socialist Democratic Party.”
It is a new award that will be given to the person every year that goes to extraordinary lengths to protect the socialist Democratic Party. She deserves it. She lied to Congress and the people for the regime.
— Rover (@Rover323233) March 25, 2019
Other users reacted with humor.
“You can’t make this stuff up,” one commenter said.
“In her case, you can,” replied another in apparent reference to the possibility that Ford fabricated her allegations against Kavanaugh.
in her case, you can ???
— Chris (@c_squared710) March 25, 2019
A media firestorm erupted after Ford’s allegations, that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her more than 30 years ago when the two were teenagers, surfaced in Sept. 2018. Republicans were furious at the timing of the revelations, which came shortly after Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation process kicked off, and accused Democrats of a politically motivated smear campaign aimed at derailing Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
Ford’s credibility was hotly debated in the political sphere. No contemporaneous witnesses to the alleged assault ever came forward. Four witnesses affirmed Ford’s account that she had told others of the alleged attack, but, according to the veteran sex crimes prosecutor who questioned Ford, “refuted her allegations or failed to corroborate them.” Kavanaugh was eventually confirmed to the Supreme Court after a contentious public testimony.
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