Kavanaugh, #MeToo experts available for media interviews
On Kavanaugh and #MeToo:Lorraine Bayard de Volo, chair of the Women and Gender Studies Department, studies gender, sexuality and violence. She served as an expert witness for the prosecution in the 2017 sexual assault case filed by Taylor Swift against a Denver radio personality. She can discuss what motivates sexual harassment and sexual assault, common responses among victims, and the Kavanaugh case in the context of the #MeToo movement.
lbdv@colorado.edu
On the developing culture of #MeToo:Aya Gruber, professor of law, is an expert on sexual assault, rape myths and accusations similar to those Kavanaugh is facing. She believes people accused of sexual wrongdoing should not automatically be fired or ostracized, and also that that the claims should be thoroughly vetted. Gruber says she is troubled by the black and white nature of conversations around past sexual behavior.
“The nature of the sexual misconduct conversation has put Kavanaugh in a position that he had to issue a blanket denial of everything – one that seems patently untrue. He could not admit to high school partying and loutish behavior but had to portray himself as a choir boy. In turn, Republicans have to paint Dr. (Christine Blasey) Ford as a liar or confused, so that they can maintain Kavanaugh’s credibility,” she said.
aya.gruber@colorado.edu
For help arranging interviews:
Andrew Sorensen, CU Boulder media relations
andrew.sorensen@colorado.edu
303-492-3114