Election Watch: What to Ask and What to Look For

This campaign season, we’re watching candidates to see whether they make supporting survivors of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse a priority. In order to change our culture to eliminate sexual violence, we need people in office who understand the need for programs and policies that not only support survivors, but also work to prevent sexual violence from occuring in the first place. Here’s a short list of questions you can ask candidates running for any office—from town meeting and the school committee on up to the presidency—along with some things to look for in their answers to assess whether they deserve your vote! 

Question: What policies do you intend to focus on to address the epidemic of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse? 

What to look for in the answer: Plans to restore, expand, and strengthen Title IX guidance and to bolster prevention education (for example, sex ed that includes discussion of consent and healthy relationships). Recognition of the need for stronger workplace protections against sexual violence. Support for reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. Focus on the importance of adequately funding prevention initiatives and survivor support services. Making explicit connections to other major policy issues that directly affect survivors, including health care, immigration, economic stability, and affordable housing. Spotlight on mental health as an essential part of health care needs. Recognition of the effects of poverty on survivors and of poverty being a risk factor for sexual violence.

Question: How do you intend to cultivate a culture—both in your administrative offices and in the larger national dialogue—that empowers survivors and works to prevent sexual assault, harassment, and abuse?

What to look for in the answer: Comprehensive approaches that include policy, transparency, and ongoing discussions and training. Plans to address the issue when making hiring and appointment decisions. Use of the word “survivor” (or “survivor/victim”). Acknowledgement that it is a community responsibility to change the culture, and that the onus shouldn’t be on survivors reporting to push this change forward. Encouragement of people to be active bystanders. Exploration of the need for more—and more effective—ways to hold people who commit sexual violence accountable. Rejection of any excuses based in the concepts of “boys will be boys” and “just locker room talk.” 

Question: Do you commit to support immigrant survivors of sexual violence and how will you do that? 

What to look for in the answer: Plans to ensure that people who have experienced sexual and domestic violence have the grounds to seek asylum. An increase in the number of T and U visas issued each year. Acknowledgement that immigration practices need to be overhauled to reduce the incidence of sexual violence while in detention, and clear steps to do so, including ending any family separation practices. 

General things to look for in candidates

Policy answers that are detailed and not just feel-good language with nothing to back it up. Regularly and proactively bringing up sexual violence in their speeches. Speaking inclusively of survivors, acknowledging that survivors include people of all genders. Making a point to listen to survivors and experts in the field, and incorporate their perspectives into their work (rather than just dictating what they think is best). Recognition that sexual violence affects everyone, and that it disporportionately affects people who face other challenges and discrimination (transgender folks, people of color, people experiencing homelessness). Bonus points if they communicate an understanding that sexual violence is rooted in oppression. 

What do you want to ask the candidates related to sexual assault, harassment, and abuse? Share in the comments!

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, BARCC is nonpartisan and is not endorsing any candidates.