Joyful Heart Foundation Dismayed by Justice Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court Confirmation

We are disappointed and disheartened by the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. The Senate’s vote this weekend sent a clear message that many of our national leaders do not respect survivors or their experiences. In this year of cultural reckoning and meaningful progress in the movement to end sexual violence, the media coverage of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony, as well as the confirmation outcome, are stark reminders of our society’s repeated failure to receive survivors with compassion and respect.

Dr. Ford’s historic decision to come forward with her deeply personal experience before a national audience has emboldened survivors across the nation to share their own stories, speak out against sexual violence, and seek solidarity and consolation with one another. At the same time, survivors will not forget the way Dr. Ford and others were publicly belittled and disbelieved. We are appalled that national leaders, members of the media, and many citizens chose to dismiss Dr. Ford and other survivors, a harmful yet all-too-common response that will leave future victims less likely to report and push survivors who have yet to disclose further into isolation.

Each of us has the potential to help create a community of belief and acceptance, and this begins with believing, trusting, and supporting survivors. Joyful Heart stands with every survivor, whether or not they choose to disclose their stories. We look forward to, and continue to work toward, a future where every survivor is met with compassion and belief.

– October 9, 2018