UNITED STATES
Vox
October 16, 2018
By Rachael Denhollander
I’m appalled at the response from my own community on Kavanaugh.
The real litmus test of whether our society cares about sexual abuse is how we respond when the allegations are against someone in our community. We have failed that test.
Just a few days ago, Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to take his seat on the highest court of our land. A contentious hearing followed Christine Blasey Ford’s accusation that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her as a teenager, and the impact of his confirmation will extend far beyond the decisions he may make while seated.
The entire process hit a little too close to home. I’m a sexual assault survivor who was forced to take a very public stand against a prominent abuser — Larry Nassar. I’m also an evangelical with primarily conservative political positions.
My religious community applauded me for standing against Nassar and his enablers while, in the same breath, condemned me for speaking against religious institutions that mishandled abuse. My knowledge of the law and dynamics of abuse were welcomed when it impacted the “secular” world of Michigan State University, and discounted completely when I expressed concerns about prominent religious leaders in my own church.
More often than not, we are only willing to support survivors so long as their allegations don’t impinge on our community, its members, or our overall goals. But as soon as it’s someone from our own tribe — when it actually costs us to care — the verbal and mental contortions ensue to explain why this allegation of abuse is “different.”
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