Brett Kavanaugh website becomes resource for sexual assault victims
BrettKavanaugh.com states: 'We believe survivors'
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Your support makes all the difference.Newly appointed US Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh has learnt the hard way about the importance of owning the web domain of your own name.
Following his controversial nomination to the highest court in the US, the website BrettKavanaugh.com was transformed into a resource for survivors of sexual assault in support of his alleged victims.
The site was set up by an activist from Fix The Court, an organisation that aims to make the Supreme Court more accountable, who bought the domain three years ago.
In a statement published to the Fix the Court website, the organisation's executive director Gabe Roth said he came up with the idea after witnessing the testimony of Mr Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford before Congress last week.
Dr Ford accused Mr Kavanaugh of sexual assault while the pair were at high school, a claim that Mr Kavanaugh denies.
"I believe Dr Ford. I believe Prof [Anita] Hill. I also believe that asking for forgiveness is a sign of maturity and strength, not weakness," Mr Roth wrote on Tuesday 9 October.
"Watching last night’s White House event and listening to the President again cast doubt on veracity of Dr Ford’s claims, while not hearing a word of contrition from the newest justice, was difficult for many Americans who have experienced sexual misconduct firsthand."
The website has become a place to support sexual assault victims at a time when US President Donald Trump is dismissing allegations as a "hoax" brought about "by evil people."
In response to such claims, the website states: "The start of Brett Kavanaugh's tenure on the Supreme Court may look like a victory for one interest group or another. But, more importantly, it is putting a national focus on the issue of sexual assault – and how we as a country can and should do more to prevent it and to support those who have experienced it.
"This past month, thousands of survivors came forward to tell their stories. We applaud your bravery. We believe you. And if you are seeking additional resources, these groups can offer assistance."
Support groups listed on the website include the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), End Rape on Campus (EROC), and Rapes, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN).
Following the highly controversial appointment of Mr Kavanaugh, protestors have vowed to continue fighting ahead of the midterm elections.
“This confirmation is a deeply painful one, not just because of the radical impact it may have on Supreme Court jurisprudence, but because of the message it sends to survivors of sexual violence: that their stories carry little weight with our government,” Anna Galland, executive director of the advocacy group MoveOn, said in a statement sent to The Independent.
“If we organise, mobilise, and vote, we will win. We must all commit to action in coming weeks to take back control of our government from right-wing extremists."
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