- Women’s groups clamored to back sexual assault accusations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his Senate confirmation hearing.
- Many of the same groups have stayed silent as three women accuse Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo accuse him of sexual misconduct.
- President Joe Biden’s accuser Tara Reade received similar treatment from these advocacy groups when she accused Biden of sexual assault last spring.
Women’s groups that backed sexual assault accusations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh have stayed silent as Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo faces allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment.
Advocacy groups clamored to support Christine Blasey Ford in September 2018 when she accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her in high school. Groups such as Planned Parenthood, the Women’s March, the National Abortion Right’s Action League, the American Association of University Women, and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, condemned Kavanaugh and said they believed Blasey Ford.
The Daily Caller News Foundation reached out to each of these groups to ask why they have stayed silent on Cuomo accusers Lindsey Boylan and Charlotte Bennett.
None of the groups responded to the DCNF’s repeated requests for comment. A third woman, Anna Ruch, accused Cuomo of sexual misconduct Monday evening after this story was published. (RELATED: ‘Believe All Women’: Women’s Groups That Condemned Kavanaugh Silent On Biden Accuser Tara Reade)
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford is sworn in by chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, on Capitol Hill September 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Tom Williams-Pool/Getty Images)
The DCNF also asked the pro-abortion group Emily’s List why it has yet to support Cuomo’s accusers. The group has not issued a statement, but retweeted Emily’s List President Stephanie Schriock’s Monday tweet that investigating the allegations “is the right call.”
“No one should face harassment at work, and these credible allegations deserve an investigation,” Schriock tweeted.
Emily’s List did not respond to the DCNF.
This is the right call. No one should face harassment at work, and these credible allegations deserve an investigation.https://t.co/yORxkhO3fR
— Stephanie Schriock (@Schriock1) March 1, 2021
The Planned Parenthood Federation of America has similarly stayed silent on the allegations, though a New York Planned Parenthood affiliate weighed in on the matter.
“An independent investigation of the allegations against Governor Cuomo must be completed in a way that is both responsive and transparent. These are necessary steps on a path to restore trust and ensure accountability,” Emma Corbitt, Director of Communications of Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts, said this weekend.
The national women’s advocacy group UltraViolet issued a statement Monday calling allegations against Cuomo “deeply disturbing” and demanding a “comprehensive, independent, transparent, third-party investigation.” (RELATED: With No Lawyer Or Public Relations Rep And Little Backing From Prominent Women’s Groups, Tara Reade Stands Alone)
Cuomo’s Accusers
Cuomo accuser Charlotte Bennett told the New York Times that the governor asked her about her sex life, asked her whether she practiced monogamy, whether she was interested in older men, and discussed her past sexual assault with her in an uncomfortable manner. Bennett also said that Cuomo suggested he was open to dating women her age and that she believes he was grooming her.
The same week, Lindsey Boylan accused the governor of kissing her without her consent during a one-on-one briefing, making her uncomfortable, and making a number of sexually charged comments to her. (RELATED: Reporter Says Cuomo’s ‘Eat The Whole Sausage’ Comment Wasn’t Harassment)
Anna Ruch met the New York Democrat at a September 2019 New York City wedding reception, she told the New York Times Monday. Ruch said the governor put his hand on her bare back, moved close to her, told her she was “aggressive” when she removed his hand, placed his hands on her cheeks and asked her if he could kiss her. Her friend later told her that he had kissed her cheek, she said.
The governor’s office has denied Boylan’s and Bennett’s allegations but has not yet addressed Ruch’s story. In a Sunday evening statement, Cuomo apologized if his actions were “misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation.”
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo smiles during a press conference about recalled Toyota cars February 24, 2010 in New York City. (Chris Hondros/Getty Images)
“I never intended to offend anyone or cause any harm,” he said. “I spend most of my life at work and colleagues are often also personal friends.” (RELATED: Cuomo Backs Off Appointing Judge With Ties To His Ally To Investigate #METOO Allegations)
“I do, on occasion, tease people in what I think is a good natured way,” Cuomo said. “I do it in public and in private. You have seen me do it at briefings hundreds of times. I have teased people about their personal lives, their relationships, about getting married or not getting married. I mean no offense and only attempt to add some levity and banter to what is a very serious business.”
The governor said that he understands now that some of his interactions “may have been insensitive or too personal” and that given his position, some of his comments may have made others uncomfortable.
“To be clear I never inappropriately touched anybody and I never propositioned anybody and I never intended to make anyone feel uncomfortable, but these are allegations that New Yorkers deserve answers to,” the governor said.
The #METOO Pattern
President Joe Biden’s accuser Tara Reade received similar treatment from women’s advocacy groups when she accused Biden of sexual assault last spring. Biden has repeatedly denied Reade’s allegations. (RELATED: ‘I Want The Same Equal Treatment’: Biden Accuser Tara Reade Tears Into Media, Women’s Groups, Democratic Politicians)
The Biden accuser told the DCNF in April 2020 that it would have meant “so much” to her to have a women’s movement or platform that supported her when she came forward with her allegations.
“I say back to these women’s organizations, I want the same equal treatment that other survivors have received, no matter who the perpetrator is,” Reade told the DCNF in April 2020.
Her accusations garnered national attention in late April and early May, but subsequent media reporting on her academic credentials and her turbulent past cast doubts on her credibility. Her legal representation, attorney Douglas Wigdor, abandoned her case in early May following reports that Reade lied about her undergraduate degree.
Reade told the DCNF that she did not lie about her degree and is pursuing legal action against Antioch University.
The Biden accuser said Monday that Cuomo should be the one under scrutiny — not his former staffers. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Video Shows Anti-Kavanaugh Lawyer Saying Christine Blasey Ford Wanted ‘Asterisk’ By Justice’s Name)
“When are we going to hold powerful men preying on their staff accountable even if they are Democrats,” she asked the DCNF.
“The women’s groups and female legislators not stepping up for these women are dealing the final blows to the MeToo movement that the Democratic Party hijacked for their political use then tossed aside when it became inconvenient,” she added. “I am the poster child for the politically inconvenient woman and I don’t want that for Lindsey or Charlotte.”
This story has been updated to reflect that a third woman has accused Cuomo of misconduct.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.