Was Christine Ford's Allegation a Choice? CW: Mention of Sexual Assault, Rape

An article depicting the Kavanaugh trials that was published online September 17th, 2018 provided basic details about the beginnings of the trial as well as personal context for the survivor, Christine Ford - the most surprising bit being that at first, she had wanted to remain anonymous.

Ms. Ford submitted a letter detailing her allegations and the experience which inevitably lead to the allegations, and the New Yorker’s Jane Mayer and Ronan Farrow’s report incited the demand for an identity to match such an exposing and hard-hitting story. They wrote it for exactly that reason - so that the accuser would come forward, which would incite further press on the matter. These reporters did not have the interests of Ford in mind at all; they simply used her story for their personal gain. While it is necessary to expose rapists, it is also necessary to ensure that the consent from the accuser has been fully affirmed - even after those reporters had written that story. Ford told Vox that she came forward because she felt as though it was her “civic responsibility” to reveal her identity - it wasn't entirely done by choice. This effort is noble, well-respected, and potentially a result of coercion, and as a country we cannot expect every survivor to feel as though coming forward is what’s necessary or even ‘right’, because it could compromise things such as their process of healing from trauma or their physical safety.