Cara Delevingne explains why she didn’t report sexual abuse amid Kavanaugh debate
PARIS, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 27: Cara Delevingne attends the Christian Dior show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2018/2019 on February 27, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for Christian Dior)
Model Cara Delevingne has said she didn’t report her sexual abuser as she “didn’t want to publicly ruin someone’s life, even though they privately ruined mine,” adding her voice to the thousands sharing their stories using #WhyIDidntReport on social media.
The hashtag started being used after US President Donald Trump reportedly questioned why survivors of sexual misconduct and violence did not come forward at the time of the incident.
At a press conference on Wednesday (September 25), Trump defended Brett Kavanaugh, who the president has nominated to fill the role of associate justice at the Supreme Court, after pro-LGBT+ Anthony Kennedy retired.
Delevingne talked about the devastating impact of sexual abuse on her life. (Caradelevingne/Twitter)
So far, three women have come forward accusing the Supreme Court nominee of sexual assault or sexual misconduct.
In a Twitter post on Wednesday (September 26), Delevingne wrote: “Because I felt ashamed of what happened and didn’t want to publicly ruin someone’s life, even though they privately ruined mine #WhyIDidntReport.”
The 26-year old star has previously accused disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexually harassing her.
Other celebrities have posted their stories of #WhyIDidntReport, including Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd.
Christine Blasey Ford, a California-based professor, will testify about Kavanaugh allegedly sexually assaulting her at a house party 36 years ago in front of a Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday (September 27). Kavanaugh has adamantly denied all the claims made against him.
On Monday (September 24), Human Rights Campaign joined other organisations in the US in a nationwide walkout in support of Ford and Deborah Ramirez, the second woman to accuse Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct.
Brett Kavanaugh faces accusations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty)
“Today @HRC was proud to join partner organizations and people from across the country in a nationwide walkout in support of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Deborah Ramirez and all survivors of sexual assault,” the Human Rights Campaign posted on Twitter.
“We #BelieveSurvivors. So must the Senate.”
Prominent figures have tweeted in support of the #BelieveSurvivors hashtag.
“1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be the victim of sexual abuse by age 18. Very few of these kids will report, & there are a million reasons why,” wrote Billie Jean King.
“We must do all we can to help victims feel safe enough to share their stories w/others, including law enforcement.#BelieveSurvivors.”
