Democratic Women’s Caucus Denounces Increase in Hateful, Sexist Rhetoric Online
November 18, 2024
CONTACT:
Lizzie Johnson, (202)-590-6073, lizzie.johnson@mail.house.gov (DWC)
The following statement is signed by Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Chair Lois Frankel (FL-22), Vice Chair Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Policy Co-Chairs Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Kathy Manning (NC-06), and DWC members Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Rep. Valerie P. Foushee (NC-04), Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Rep. Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12), Rep. Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Rep. Becca Balint (VT), Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02), Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02), Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Rep. Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Rep. LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Rep. Shontel Brown (OH-11), Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Rep. Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Rep. Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04), Rep. Val Hoyle (OR-04), Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), and Rep. Erica Lee Carter (TX-18):
“As members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, we are deeply alarmed by the recent increase in online abuse directed at girls and women. Since Election Day, we have witnessed a troubling rise in hateful, sexist, and misogynistic rhetoric, including the disturbing use of the phrase ‘your body, my choice.’
This spike in harmful language online is also showing up in the hallways of our schools. We encourage parents and administrators to engage in meaningful conversation and help all children understand that this language is threatening and unacceptable.
Together, we affirm that every woman in America has a right to make her own choices about her body and her health care. To women and girls of all ages across this nation, your body is yours alone. Sexual assault and harassment should never be tolerated, and you deserve to feel safe in your school, in your community, and online. This Caucus stands with you.”
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