New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand publicly shared her support for the woman who has accused Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax of sexual assault on Twitter Thursday afternoon.
“I support Dr. Tyson. She showed enormous courage in coming forward, and her very credible claims require investigation,” Gillibrand tweeted. “In this country, institutional bias stacks against survivors, for the powerful. We have to support survivors first so their claims can be fully investigated.” (RELATED: Woman Who Accused VA Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax Of Sexual Assault Speaks Out)
I support Dr. Tyson. She showed enormous courage in coming forward, and her very credible claims require investigation. In this country, institutional bias stacks against survivors, for the powerful. We have to support survivors first so their claims can be fully investigated.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) February 7, 2019
Gillibrand stopped short of saying Fairfax should resign, nor did she explicitly state that she believes the allegations.
Dr. Vanessa Tyson, a fellow at Stanford University, released a detailed statement describing the alleged assault on Wednesday.
She claims she met Fairfax at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. Dr. Tyson alleges that the two of them went to Fairfax’s hotel room and a sexual encounter turned to assault when he allegedly forced her to perform oral sex. (RELATED: Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine Will Wait On Fairfax Accuser To Step Forward Before Considering Charge)
FAIRFAX, VA – NOVEMBER 07: Gov.-elect Ralph Northam (R) and Lt. Gov.-elect Justin Fairfax greet supporters at an election night rally November 7, 2017 in Fairfax, Virginia. Northam defeated Republican candidate Ed Gillespie. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Fairfax maintained his innocence despite Tyson’s letter.
“I wish her no harm or humiliation, nor do I seek to denigrate her or diminish her voice. But I cannot agree with a description of events that I know is not true,” Fairfax said in response. (RELATED: Democratic Senators Refuse To Acknowledge Virginia Lieutenant Gov. Fairfax Sexual Assault Accuser)
Gillibrand has made headlines in the past for taking strong stances against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault. She also led the charge against Sen. Al Franken.
Gillibrand’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.