TRENTON – Today Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee Chair Joseph Vitale participated in the national walkout to support Christine Blasey Ford, Deborah Ramirez and all victims of sexual assault, where he was joined by Senator Nia H. Gill, Senator Sandra Cunningham, Senator Vin Gopal, Senator Nellie Pou and Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, as well as representatives from the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
“As a Legislature we must ensure we are doing everything we can to support survivors of sexual assault,” said Senator Vitale (D-Middlesex). “Survivors deserve a chance to be heard, we must ensure they have a pathway to justice, free from harassment and threats.”
“Today, we join thousands of survivors, allies, and advocates throughout the country to denounce the victim-blaming rhetoric taking place,” said Patricia Teffenhart, Executive Director of the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault. “It is not enough to stand at the podium and talk about change. We must create change.”
“We will not back down. The survivors have a right not only to be heard but to have the FBI put people under oath,” said Senator Gill (D-Essex/Passaic), in reference to the accusations made against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. “They are trying to silence the voice of the sexual assault survivors, they are trying to undermine the credibility and the heroism of the people that have come forward.”