Political Quotes

“I rise today to speak to survivors of sexual violence in my district, across the country, and around the world. As a survivor of sexual violence myself, their stories matter. I am so sorry for what they have been through, the shame they carry that was never theirs to carry. For too long, survivors have suffered in silence while abusers have carried on without consequence. Last week, our sister survivor Dolores Huerta shared her story publicly for the first time. She revealed that she feared if she came forward there would be no justice or accountability, only the vilification of a workers' movement she had dedicated her life to. Imagine the burden, the pain, the silence she carried. Women and mothers far too often experience the brutal violence, only to hide their pain and wake up every day carrying on for their children, for their community, for their family, while they are shattered inside. No survivor should have to suffer in silence. Society tells us our silence will stop the shame and trauma. It does not. While I will always respect and fight for survivors who choose privacy if it is part of their healing journey, I want survivors to know that I believe them. I believe them if their voice shakes. I believe them if it happened decades ago. I believe them if they shared their story in real time or buried it away for years. I believe them.”