Sept 28, 2018 by Bryan Kemper
I was 11 years old when I was molested by a male relative. Although it was 50 years ago, I remember every detail. It’s one of the most painful memories I have. I have never confronted him, and I don’t know if I ever will. Twenty-five years ago, I was at an abortion protest where a friend and I were assaulted and four men were arrested for it. A woman who was then pro-abortion but is now a very well-known conservative writer told the police that my friend and I sexually assaulted her. We were handcuffed and taken to a police car. This woman then told the police that she would drop the charges against us if we dropped the charges against the four men who assaulted us. [Click here for complete Kavanaugh coverage] We were afraid of this false accusation and agreed to drop the charges. Soon after, I heard this woman, who had a radio show, talk about how women who make accusations of sexual assault must always be believed. I was disgusted. Because I am a man, I cannot be believed? I refuse to accept that concept. As a victim of both sexual assault and false accusation, I’m disgusted by some things happening in our country. I watched the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday and what I saw left me raw with emotion. I listened with an open heart. I came away believing that someone a long time ago did assault Christine Blasey Ford and my heart broke for her. I also came away believing that it was not Kavanaugh. I am not a senator, a lawyer, or a judge. My beliefs do not mean anything in the process of this nomination or confirmation. I cannot affect it or sway the vote in any way. What I can do is share my story and plead with our nation to stop the hate speech against both parties. I was sickened by people who support Kavanaugh calling Ford things like “bitch” and “whore.” I was equally disgusted with the plethora of vile things said about Kavanaugh. No matter what happens with his nomination, I pray that in its aftermath, we can all look inside ourselves and consider how we treat people. My relative is innocent in the eyes of the law unless he is proven guilty by a court of law. I know what he did to me and I have, in my heart, forgiven him. But I will never forget. Maybe one day I will have the strength to confront him. The woman who falsely accused me is equally innocent in the eyes of the law unless proven guilty in a court of law. I have also forgiven her for what she did. Maybe one day I will confront her. I know the most important thing I can do is pray for both of them, and I do. I must also teach my sons to be men of integrity who would never hurt someone like this. Likewise, I must teach my daughters to be women of integrity who would also never treat or hurt someone like this. I will pray for both Ford and Kavanaugh — for healing, resolution, and peace in their lives. My #MeToo moment has shown me a lot, and I hope it can teach others how to love, forgive, and survive in a world of hate. I turn to Christ and know my ultimate peace comes through him. Bryan Kemper (@BryanKemper) is Youth Outreach Director for Priests for Life. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/ive-been-sexually-assaulted-and-falsely-accused-of-sexual-assault-heres-what-i-think-of-the-kavanaugh-ford-hearing
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