(CNN) A legislative intern whose rape allegation against an Idaho state representative led to an investigation that resulted in his resignation last week was publicly named by a conservative media outlet, despite her desire to remain anonymous.
"I have worked with survivors for 14 years, and this process was the most harmful I have ever seen in my life," the intern's attorney, Anne Hightower with the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, told CNN on Wednesday.
An ethics investigation against Republican state representative Aaron von Ehlinger began after the 19-year-old intern for another lawmaker accused von Ehlinger of engaging in nonconsensual sexual acts with her after taking her to dinner. The intern -- who asks to be identified as "Jane Doe" -- made a report to the Boise Police Department saying she was raped, according to an investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
CNN does not identify alleged victims of sexual assault without their consent.
Von Ehlinger has not been charged with a crime. The Boise Police Department has not responded to multiple requests from CNN asking whether a criminal investigation is ongoing. His current attorney, Edward Dindinger, told CNN on Wednesday they have not received any further information from police about where things stand.
cheeseandpancakes34 on May 6th, 2021 at 14:42 UTC »
One of the people that doxxed the victim was Idaho Rep Priscilla Giddings. There’s currently a petition going around trying to get her removed. Link below. I also encourage you to stop by her Facebook and let her all know how you feel about her reprehensible actions.
https://action.aclu.org/petition/id-giddings-ethics-investigation
Edit: I just got out of work and saw that this comment blew the f up. Thank you kind Redditors for the awards but please, anyone else that is considering giving one please donate to RAINN https://www.rainn.org/, PP, or your local sexual assault prevention org. Better yet, donate your time this coming election season advocating or volunteering for candidates who are trying to better society instead of regress it.
knife_at_a_gun_fight on May 6th, 2021 at 13:37 UTC »
In my country we have recently had a high profile sports personality convicted of rape. Whether or not he was guilty falls to the legal system, not the court of public opinion, and the decision has been made.
We watched scenes outside court today where supporters of the convicted rapist spat towards the victim, and heckled her. The online commentary rages in support of the convicted, as if we all heard the testimony at the trial, and can make an impartial decision.
Victims are scared away from even lodging a complaint. They're doxxed and threatened when they do. The most common things I hear is they're after 'fame' and 'money'. Wake up. Nobody gets rich and famous for being raped. If the experience wasn't bad enough, they get chewed up and spat out by strangers who think they have it all figured out.
The whole thing is gross and I hate it.
Implement-Neither on May 6th, 2021 at 12:55 UTC »
Yup, because abusers protect abusers. It's as much about silencing the victim that speaks up as it is a message to all the other ones who haven't yet- look at what we'll collectively do to you if you tell the truth.