Known for supporting victims of sexual assault in the military and on college campuses, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand continues to be an advocate for survivors’ voices. A spokesman for Senator Gillibrand says that she—along with Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill—supports advocacy group Promoting Awareness/Victim Empowerment’s petition that calls on President Obama to take away Bill Cosby’s Presidential Medal of Freedom. This petition is in light of recent events—namely, Cosby’s 2005 confession that he gave women Quaaludes in order to rape them coming to the surface.
In a statement to Politico, spokesman Glen Caplin said, “[Gillibrand] supports this group’s effort because we need to set a clear example that sexual assault will not be tolerated in this country, and someone who admitted to using drugs for sex no longer deserves the nation’s highest honor.”
Though we’re sad that this kind of petition has to exist, we’re proud of Kirsten Gillibrand for supporting it. Sign the petition here.
Image via Politico