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Articles on Christine Blasey Ford

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A woman walks past Robert Graham’s sculpture, ‘Dance Door,’ in Los Angeles, 2015. AP Photo/Nick Ut

The unimaginable costs of sexual assault

A well-known scholar of violence against women describes her own harrowing assault – and how the #MeToo movement changed her professionally and personally.
Christine Blasey Ford is sworn in by Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nomination of Brett M. Kavanaugh. AP/Tom Williams/Pool Photo

Kavanaugh confirmation could spark a reckoning with system that often fails survivors of sexual abuse and assault

The testimony of Christine Blasey Ford in the Kavanaugh nomination hearings showed what happens when abuse survivors enter systems that are not designed to respond to their words or meet their needs.
Christine Blasey Ford testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)

Trauma 101 in the aftermath of the Ford-Kavanaugh saga

If the Ford-Kavanaugh saga had any positive impact, it at least clearly highlighted several lessons from traumatology and the complex consequences of traumatic events across society.
In this Oct. 27, 2017 photo, actress Rose McGowan, left, waves after being introduced by Tarana Burke, right, founder of the #MeToo movement, at the inaugural Women’s Convention in Detroit. Are men any more likely to confess to sexual assault since #MeToo? (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Confessions to sexual assault are rare: #ItWasMe

Confessions of sexual assault are rare. Are men any more likely to confess to sexual assault since #MeToo?
Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, arrives in the East Room of the White House, July 9, 2018. AP/Alex Brandon

Does a man’s social class have anything to do with the likelihood he’ll commit sexual assault?

Brett Kavanaugh presented himself as a good and reputable man in his recent Senate hearing. But a man’s social status and education tell us nothing about whether he’s likely to commit sexual assault.
Across the world, allegations of sexual assault have hinged on women’s credibility. Michael Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP

Kavanaugh sexual assault hearing evokes early Soviet mock trials

A century ago, Russian leaders staged mock trials on rape and abortion to educate citizens about new Soviet laws and values. Then, as now, victim-blaming and ‘he said, she said’ marred the verdict.
Does your body give away if you’re lying or not? AP Photo/Edward Kitch

Is a polygraph a reliable lie detector?

It would be great to know for sure when someone is lying and when someone is telling the truth. But no technology that purports to do so is foolproof.
Anita Hill, who accused U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment, amid heavy security when she was to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Oct. 10, 1991. AP Photo/Doug Mills

Things have changed since Anita Hill – sort of

Anita Hill charged in 1991 that Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas sexually harassed her. He was still confirmed. Now, another nominee faces sexual assault allegations. Have times changed?

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