Christine Blasey Ford Honours Sexual Assault Survivor Rachael Denhollander in Her First Public Appearance After Kavanaugh Hearing
Ford honoured a fellow survivor and former American gymnast Rachael Denhollander, who was the first woman to accuse the USA Gymnastics national team doctor, Lawrence Gerard Nassar of sexual abuse.
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, a strong voice that has challenged the American power is an inspiration to many people. The 51-year-old’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee about now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s alleged sexual assault against her, stir the globe. After the powerful evidence, Ford was not seen in the headlines for almost three months. However, on December 11 she has made a rare or rather first public appearance since the hearing at the 2018 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Awards. She honoured a fellow survivor and former American gymnast Rachael Denhollander, who was the first woman to accuse the USA Gymnastics national team doctor, Lawrence Gerard Nassar of sexual abuse. Time Magazine Puts Christine Blasey Ford on Its Cover.
Sports Illustrated named Denhollander its “Inspiration of the Year.” It was only after Denhollander’s accuse that brought global attention to Nassar’s sexual abuse. Hundreds of women came forward sharing their horrible experiences by the former team doctor. Proven guilty, Nassar was reportedly sentenced to up to 175 years in prison in January, this year. Ford paid tribute to Denhollander’s courage in speaking about Nassar’s behaviour. America’s National Sexual Assault Hotline Saw 147% Increase in Calls During Ford’s Testimony.
Watch Video of Christine Blaset Ford Honouring Sexual Assault Survivor Rachael Denhollander.
In the 2018 Sports Illustrated video, Ford said, “I am honored to speak with you from afar about a woman I admire so much, a woman who suffered abuse as a vulnerable teenage athlete, who found the courage to talk publicly to stop the abuse of others. Her courage inspired other survivors to end their silence, and we all know the result.”
Again, Ford last month issued a statement on a GoFundMe page that was set up to help her cover security costs, announcing that she is donating some money that was intended for her to organisations that supports trauma survivors. Denhollander and Forb are one of many survivors whose brave step encouraged sexual assault victim to end their silence.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 13, 2018 04:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).