Anita Hill says #MeToo could have come in '91 had Biden-led Senate committee 'done its job'

"If the Senate Judiciary Committee, led then by Mr. Biden, had done its job and held a hearing that showed that its members understood the seriousness of sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence, the cultural shift we saw in 2017 after #MeToo might have began in 1991 — with the support of the government," Hill wrote in a New York Times op-ed published Thursday.

She argues that there would have been a "ripple effect" had the senators shown they could "treat survivors with dignity and listen to women."

"Instead, far too many survivors kept their stories hidden for years," she wrote.

In 1991, Hill faced intense and probing questioning about her accusations of sexual harassment in the workplace against Thomas from the panel of all male senators. Thomas denied the allegations.

Biden has faced renewed scrutiny over his handling of Hill's testimony amid his 2020 presidential campaign and through the lens of the #MeToo movement.

"Sexual violence is a national crisis that requires a national solution. We miss that point if we end the discussion at whether I should forgive Mr. Biden," Hill, a professor at Brandeis University, wrote.

CNN has reached out to Biden's campaign for comment.

Hill called on Congress to allow complaints raised against potential nominees to be investigated by an independent party and to pass legislation aimed at ending sexual harassment, specifically endorsing the Be Heard Act.

"Survivors and their supporters need acknowledgment and justice. Words of condolence can never substitute for action aimed at ending the harm," she added.

Biden called Hill last month, expressing "his regret for what she endured." In an interview with the Times, Hill did not characterize Biden's words as an apology and said she thinks Biden fails to grasp the damage he did to her and other victims of sexual harassment.

A few weeks later, Biden told ABC News he accepts responsibility for how Hill was treated during the confirmation hearings.

"She did not get a fair hearing. She did not get treated well. That's my responsibility," Biden said.

CNN's Caroline Kelly and David Wright contributed to this report.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

from CNN.com - RSS Channel kalo berita gak lengkap buka link disamping https://cnn.it/2WC7n2D