Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax accuser comes forward to describe alleged sexual assault: 'I never gave any form of consent'
The woman accusing Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax (D) of sexual assault has just come forward with a statement.
Dr. Vanessa Tyson on Wednesday described in her own words the alleged assault previously reported in The Washington Post, which did not disclose her name. Tyson, a professor at Scripps College who says she is a "proud Democrat," writes that in 2004, she met Fairfax at the Democratic National Convention and that he asked her to accompany him on a "quick errand" to his hotel room.
Once there, Tyson alleges that "what began as consensual kissing quickly turned into a sexual assault." She describes in graphic detail how Fairfax allegedly forced her to perform oral sex, saying that she "tried to move away" but couldn't because "his hand was holding down my neck." Fairfax in a statement said the encounter was "consensual" and that "at no time did [Tyson] express to me any discomfort or concern." Tyson, however, says that she "cried and gagged" and said "I cannot believe, given my obvious distress, that Mr. Fairfax thought this forced sexual act was consensual."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Tyson also writes that she suffered "deep humiliation and shame" and therefore "did not speak about it for years" until 2017, when she reached out to the Post. In a report Monday, the Post had said it was unable to corroborate the account of either Tyson or Fairfax and, therefore, originally declined to publish the story. However, the Post denied that it initially didn't publish because of "red flags" in Tyson's account, as Fairfax had claimed, and Tyson says that "my only motive in speaking now is to refute Mr. Fairfax's falsehoods and aspersions of my character."
Read Tyson's statement below. Brendan Morrow
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
5 inexcusably funny cartoons about Hunter Biden's pardon
Cartoons Artists take on nomination qualification, absolute turkey, and more
By The Week US Published
-
What Donald Trump owes the Christian Right
The Explainer Conservative Christians played an important role in Trump’s re-election, and he has promised them great political influence
By The Week UK Published
-
Russia's shadow war in Europe
Talking Point Steering clear of open conflict, Moscow is slowly ratcheting up the pressure on Nato rivals to see what it can get away with.
By The Week UK Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published