When a sexual assault victim comes forward, they must be heard in a space that provides validity to their experience and justice in their trauma.

Sexual assault and harassment is an unwanted and aggressive attack on an individual. For the report of a sexual assault attack to be dismissed is another form of attack not only on the individual, but against all victims.

As a result of the 50/48 decision made by senators across the country, Brett Kavanaugh was sworn in as the next Supreme Court Justice. As a consequence of this decision, policies previously set in place that have provided women with the civil right to make decisions regarding their property, like with their bodies, are in jeopardy of being reversed.

In both a political and societal narrative, the decision sends a message to the citizens of the United States: sexual assault is okay. Reason being, the decision regarding Brett Kavanaugh’s position, as well as the decorum exercised during his hearing, normalizes unjust behavior.

In Kavanaugh’s case, the disregard towards Christine Blasey Ford’s experience left him with little to no scrutiny and an opportunity to judge the case for potential victims of sexual assault. Our legal system abides by a justice system that stands for ‘innocent until proven guilty.’ In the same light, the system intended to provide a fair trial justifies the actions of rapists and sexual assault predators.

To receive protection from the same system that is expected to exact justice on those who have violated the living experience of another human being is unethical in its practice. In the discussion of sexual assault and violence, Kavanaugh’s decision sends the message to sexual assault survivors that consequences for one’s actions are not promised.

During his hearing, his language and lack of self-control showcased his inability to not only compose himself but entertains the idea of him being guilty of his allegations. Kavanaugh’s blatant disregard towards the questions asked of him and his response to a series of interrogations has left the country in a frenzy.

When asked about his drinking habits, Kavanaugh’s lack of respect and rational were showcased within his response to Senator Amy Klobuchar in demanding information of her drinking habits. The outburst was an act of disrespect toward legal processes and the seriousness behind his allegations. In refusing to answer the question, it speaks volume.

The entirety of the interrogation was met with the same childlike demeanor. If a similar situation had arose in Kavanaugh’s case as Supreme Court Justice, he would have dismissed the individual entirely for their inability to maintain proper decorum and failure to have answered the question. Being a Supreme Court Justice requires a deep political understanding of the justice system as well as a high level of literacy in social justice.

With Kavanaugh, the inability to compose oneself during a testimony of the same justice system shows illiteracy not only in its legal processes but a lack of understanding of its purpose. The institutions upheld in the legal system seem to not apply to Kavanaugh’s case. Instead, deflecting questions and using lewd language is best suited for the country’s current Supreme Court Justice.