JWI’s Statement on Rep. Eric Swalwell
Jewish Women International stands in unwavering solidarity with the courageous women who have come forward to share their accounts of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment allegedly committed by Representative Eric Swalwell. We believe survivors, and we hold them in our hearts.
Representative Swalwell’s response to these claims—which has included blaming the survivors for their well-documented allegations and threatening legal action against them—utilizes tactics often seen in cases of sexual abuse to silence those who speak out. While the Representative has characterized this as a private matter between him and his wife, we disagree. This is a matter of safety and justice for the women who have alleged they were subjected to abuse and harassment by a public official, and who have since faced public disparagement for seeking accountability. We call for transparency and for accountability for the sake of the survivors who spoke up, for the sake of every person who has suffered in silence for fear of retaliation or that they won't be believed, and for the sake of the American people.
JWI is the leading Jewish organization championing women and girls by preventing domestic violence and sexual abuse, addressing the intersection of domestic violence and gun violence, building pathways to long-term economic security, and strengthening access to every level of leadership in our communities, workplaces, and country.