Christine Ford, accuser of US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh: I'm 'haunted' by attack

Christine Blasey Ford is sworn in to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee
AP
Katy Clifton27 September 2018

A woman who claims Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her was today giving evidence through tears in a crucial Senate hearing in the US.

Academic Christine Blasey Ford told the hearing that she shared her experience with a counsellor and close friends at the time but chose to keep the identity of her alleged attacker a secret.

However, she said she decided to name him in July 2018 after reading reports that he was nominated for the Supreme Court as she believed it was her “civic duty”.

Ms Ford has said she "agonised daily" over the decision on whether to come forward to speak about sexual assault allegations against US Supreme Court nominee.

Ms Ford's voice cracked as she spoke to the Senate Judiciary Committee, calling Mr Kavanaugh, who denies the allegations, "the boy who sexually assaulted me".

She said the alleged assault has been seared into her memory and has haunted her.

Christine Blasey Ford has said she "agonised daily" over the decision on whether to come forward to speak about sexual assault allegations
Getty Images

In testimony released beforehand, she said she was frankly "terrified" at the prospect of providing evidence and has been the target of vile harassment and even death threats.

Committee chairman Chuck Grassley started the hearing with an apology to Mr Kavanaugh and his accuser their treatment, saying they and their families have received "vile threats".

The Republican promised a "safe, comfortable and dignified" atmosphere as his committee hears from both.

The momentous hearing could determine whether the Supreme Court nominee will be confirmed to the lifetime job.

"It is not my responsibility to determine whether Mr Kavanaugh deserves to sit on the Supreme Court," Ms Ford’s testimony said. "My responsibility is to tell the truth."

Mr Kavanaugh and Ms Ford are the only witnesses invited to give evidence before the panel of 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats.

But the conservative jurist is facing allegations of sexual misconduct from other women as well, forcing Republican leaders to struggle to keep support for him from eroding.

Protesters rally before the hearing on Thursday
REUTERS

Senator Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the committee, said in her opening statement that sexual violence is a serious problem in the United States "and one that goes largely unseen."

The committee's top Democrat told Ms Ford: "I am very grateful to you for your strength and your bravery for coming forward. I know it's hard."

She criticised Republicans who have rejected Democratic demands to slow Mr Kavanaugh's confirmation process and let the FBI investigate all the allegations.

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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