Lamont, Bysiewicz Join Women Leaders to Stand Against Sexual Violence, Call Out Stefanowski's Silence on Kavanaugh's Confirmation

Press Release

Following Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Ned Lamont and Susan Bysiewicz, Democratic nominees for governor and lieutenant governor, joined women leaders from across Connecticut for a press conference Friday to speak out against sexual violence.

Lamont and Bysiewicz also called out the callous disregard Republican candidate Bob Stefanowski showed at this week's gubernatorial debate when he refused to say where he stood on the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"The accusations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh are harrowing and warrant an independent investigation. I stand with Dr. Blasey Ford and the 1 in 5 people in Connecticut who have been a victim of sexual assault," said Lamont. "The trauma of her experience has had a lasting impact on her life, and the ramifications of coming forward -- her life threatened, her family upended and her identity stolen -- are exactly why victims are afraid to report sexual assaults."

During a gubernatorial debate held at the University of Connecticut Wednesday night, Stefanowski was asked where he stood on Kavanaugh's appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. Stefanowski refused to answer where he stood on Kavanaugh's appointment, stating he was going to "take a pass," showing once again that he stands fully with Trump values, and not with Connecticut values.

Democratic governors and Republican governors across the country have called to postpone the vote in the U.S. Senate and to let these brave women be heard. Among the first to speak out was Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker who took a stand, and rightly said, "The accusations brought against Judge Kavanaugh are sickening and deserve an independent investigation." The stark difference between Baker and Stefanowski's approach to Kavanaugh speaks volumes.

"The voters of Connecticut deserve to know where candidates for governor -- who are running to appoint Connecticut's cabinet officials and Supreme Court Justices -- stand on Brett Kavanaugh," said Lamont. "Leaders at every level of government have a responsibility to be catalysts for change and to lift up the voices of those who have lived in fear and silence. Connecticut needs a governor who will stand firmly for Connecticut values, not Trump values. I will be that leader and Bob Stefanowski has proven he will not."

"In lockstep with Brett Kavanaugh and Donald Trump, the Stefanowski-Markley ticket will push for Trump values over Connecticut values," said Bysiewicz. "If confirmed, he'll be a disaster for women, for our state and for our country. We cannot allow Kavanaugh, Trump or the Stefanowski-Markley ticket win the war against Connecticut values. As governor and lieutenant governor, Ned and I will stand up to the Trump administration and protect Connecticut values."

Lamont and Bysiewicz also addressed steps they would take as governor and lieutenant governor to support sexual assault victims. For example, Dr. Blasey Ford's accusations can legally be prosecuted in Maryland court, but Ms. Ramirez's would be barred by Connecticut's short statute of limitations for sex crimes.

Lamont and Bysiewicz recognize that Connecticut's statute of limitations is a national outlier and that it often takes survivors time to come forward. If elected, they would fight to protect survivors by increasing the amount of time they have to pursue justice.

In August, after U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos proposed to roll back President Obama's protections against sexual violence and misconduct at schools, Lamont proposed an executive order and legislation to protect Connecticut students from sexual violence regardless of their sex, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.

Lamont's executive order and legislation would:

Codify in Connecticut law the Obama Administration's guidance clarifying that laws prohibiting sex discrimination in education prohibit sexual harassment and violence and continue to require educational institutions to affirmatively prevent and remedy sexual harassment and violence on- and off-campus, and mandate disciplinary proceedings that protect due process by providing complainants as well as respondents the right to an appeal.
Encourage robust enforcement of Connecticut's protections by working with the Attorney General to audit compliance with the law and investigate reported violations, and by reforming Connecticut law to permit individuals to sue to vindicate their right to access educational opportunities in Connecticut free from sex-based or gender discrimination.
Review training practices and prevention/awareness education at schools, colleges, and universities to ensure that they measure up to the high standards set forth in the Obama Administration's guidance and rolled back by the Trump/DeVos proposed rules.
Ensure that schools, colleges and universities provide complainants with meaningful access to resources and accommodations (e.g., counselors, medical professionals, tutoring, disability services and no-contact orders).
Require colleges and universities to conduct climate surveys and to report disciplinary data disaggregated by race and other socioeconomically relevant characteristics to ensure equal protection of the law in the campus disciplinary process.

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