Donald Trump has always been sexist. He’s always made women uncomfortable, and in most cases he’s never looked beyond their appearance. And although Republicans have attempted to gloss over Trump’s treatment of women in their discussion of his candidacy, the publication last week of a 2005 conversation in which he brags about sexual assault put the issue front and center.
Many GOP leaders (looking at you, Chris Christie) have disavowed Trump’s remarks, but continue to support him as a candidate. But on Tuesday, a group of more than 3,000 sexual-assault survivors ran a full-page ad in the Washington Post calling on all Republican leaders to denounce Trump’s candidacy altogether.
“In this country, one in five women will be sexually assaulted, and the vast majority of perpetrators will get away with it,” they wrote. “Donald Trump’s bragging teaches young men that they can get away with it—and your silence means you stood by and watched.”
Read the full text of the ad below.
Republican leaders, candidates, and elected officials,
We write as survivors of sexual assault to express our disgust at the Republican nominee for President’s vile treatment of women, and to express profound disappointment in your continued support of his candidacy.
Donald Trump’s record on women has always been shameful, but the tape of him bragging about sexually assaulting women and getting away with it is a new low.
These words affect us all, but as survivors of sexual assault they have a particular, horrifying impact on us.
In this country, one in five women will be sexually assaulted, and the vast majority of perpetrators—as Donald Trump’s boasts show him to be—will get away with it. When survivors of sexual assault come forward, they too are often blamed, shamed, and disbelieved. Donald Trump’s bragging teaches young men that they can get away with it—and your silence means you stood by and watched.
We call on ALL Republican leaders, candidates, and elected officials to take a stand against sexual assault and abuse—and take a stand against your own nominee for President. You must not only denounce Trump’s words, but clearly and unequivocally denounce his candidacy and do all in your power to make sure that this sexual predator never sets foot in the White House. And we urge you to support strong policies that will end the epidemic of sexual assault in this country and support survivors of abuse.