Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, the woman that has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her at a party when they were both in high school, told a top Republican senator that she is prepared to recount her story to lawmakers, despite concerns for her safety.
“While I am frightened, please know, my fear will not hold me back from testifying and you will be provided with answers to all of your questions. I ask for fair and respectful treatment,” the 51-year-old California professor wrote in a letter sent Saturday to Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley. The letter was made public on Monday, according to The Hill.
Since Ford sent the letter to Grassley on Saturday, the two sides have agreed that Ford would testify on Thursday. Ford’s lawyers have requested that there be limited media presence at the hearing, security for Ford and lengthy breaks during the hearing.
Ford, who came forward earlier this month to allege that Kavanaugh pinned her down and groped her at a high school party in 1982, explained in her letter to Grassley that she felt hesitant to share her story, but ultimately did so out of civic duty.
“Mr. Kavanaugh’s actions, while many years ago, were serious and have had a lasting impact on my life,” Ford wrote to Grassley. “I thought that knowledge of his actions could be useful for you and those in charge of choosing among the various candidates. My original intent was first and foremost to be a helpful citizen – in a confidential way that would minimize collateral damage to all families and friends involved.”
Ford added that her motivation for coming forward was “to tell the truth about what Mr. Kavanaugh and his friend Mark Judge did to me.”
The California professor had initially sent the allegations to Rep. Anna Eshoo in July, and later sent a letter further detailing the allegations to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. While Ford asked that her identity be kept private, she ultimately revealed her identity in a Washington Post story last week.
According to The Hill, Ford also noted that since coming forward with her story, she has received numerous death threats and other unwanted attention.
“While the nationwide outpouring of love has been heartwarming, I am spending considerable time managing death threats, avoiding people following me on freeways, and disconcerting media intrusion, including swarms of vans at my home and unauthorized persons entering my classroom and medical settings where I work,” Ford wrote in her letter to Grassley.
Grassley responded to Ford in a letter released on Monday, writing that he was “committed to fair and respectful treatment of [Ford], as [she’s] requested.”
In a handwritten note at the end of the letter, Grassley added, “PS: I look forward to your testimony.”
In his letter, Grassley suggested that he should have received Ford’s letter regarding her concerns about Kavanaugh when it was first sent to Feinstein, Politico reports.
“I take letters from individuals seriously and over a long period of time have demonstrated a commitment to handling personal or sensitive information in a confidential manner,” Grassley wrote.
Grassley added that he has made a “sincere and thorough” effort to look into Ford’s allegations since they were made public.
“The arrangements made to re-open and continue the confirmation hearing on Thursday will allow you to testify and also will allow the nominee to address the allegations made against him,” Grassley wrote. “Both of you deserve a credible and fair process in a secure and professional setting.”
Senate Democrats have since called for the hearing to be postponed since a new allegation against Kavanaugh has come to light.
On Sunday, the New Yorker detailed an allegation from Deborah Ramirez, who alleges that Kavanaugh exposed himself to her and thrust his genitals in her face at a college party in the 1980s.
Kavanaugh has since denied that allegation, calling the latest allegation a part of a series of “smears” against him.
“I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this process. The coordinated effort to destroy my good name will not drive me out. The vile threats of violence against my family will not drive me out. The last-minute character assassination will not succeed,” Kavanaugh said in a statement.