Politics

Inside the Network of Women Who Brought Down Eric Swalwell

Content warning: The following story mentions sexual assault and rape. 

What's going on: The 2017 #MeToo movement empowered thousands of women to share their experiences with sexual assault and rape. But in recent years, some have questioned how well it “worked” and how much has changed. Many accused men are still in positions of power, even if they’ve been found liable for sexual abuse. Now, the allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) have forced another reckoning. On March 31, Cheyenne Hunt — a progressive attorney and content creator — shared a video after learning of allegations from her friend, Annika Albrecht. Albrecht says she met Swalwell on a college trip to DC, and that he later sexually harassed her after offering career advice. In Hunt’s post, she said he had a “known history of being predatory towards women.” The viral post opened the floodgates. Soon after, The San Francisco Chronicle and CNN shared investigations that featured serious allegations of rape and sexual misconduct, including from a member of his staff. Swalwell has denied all of the claims against him. Amid the fallout, he dropped out of the California gubernatorial race and resigned from Congress.

What it means: Women who’ve accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct told NPR they believe their online community and nontraditional media channels helped lead to his resignation. Still, the fact that Swalwell rose so high in California politics underscores how power can shield men accused of mistreating women — including in the workplace and the halls of Congress. Meanwhile, advocates have been alarmed by the victim-blaming statements online — such as questions about why staffers didn’t “just quit” — which can make it difficult for women to come forward. In other words, Swalwell’s case is both a lesson in how much things have changed and how much they haven’t.

Related: With Swalwell out of the Race, There’s Room for a New Frontrunner (TIME)