Local

#MeToo: Women who are sharing stories in Washington state

In the wake of high-profile sexual assault allegations against well-known people in pop culture and politics, the #MeToo movement continues to invite women to share their stories of sexual harassment.

Tarana Burke, a New York-based activist, started the phrase "Me Too" nearly 10 years ago to help young women of color who had survived sexual abuse, assault and exploitation. In recent weeks, the viral hashtag took off when actress Alyssa Milano tweeted a call-out to victims "so we might give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem."

More than 1.7 million women – and some men – have joined the #MeToo deluge, including those in Washington state.

Here are those local stories.

Breanna Stewart

Breanna Stewart, one of the most accomplished college players in basketball history, wrote that she was molested repeatedly by a man from age 9 to 11.

%

INLINE

%

The Seattle Storm star shared her story in The Players Tribune in hopes it would help others.

“’It’s not a dirty little secret,’” Stewart wrote, quoting her father. “’When you’re comfortable with it, and when you’re comfortable being open about it, you could save someone’s life.”

If you have experienced sexual assault and need support, or if you would like more information about sexual violence, call King County Sexual Assault Resource Center's 24-hour Resource Line at 888.99.VOICE. Read about how calls have increased to the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center here.

Hope Solo 

U.S. women’s national soccer team goalkeeper Hope Solo accused former FIFA President Sepp Blatter of sexually assaulting her in 2013.

%

INLINE

%

In an interview on with Portuguese newspaper Expresso, Solo said Blatter grabbed her before she took the stage at an awards show.

“I had Sepp Blatter grab my ass. Can I talk about that? It was at the Ballon D’or one year, right before I went on stage,” Solo said in the Expresso interview. “It’s been normalized.”

Read her full story here.

Nine women say they’ve experienced sexually inappropriate behavior at the state capitol 

Nine women have talked to Northwest News Network, The News Tribune and The Olympian about the climate for women in Olympia.

Nicole Grant, executive secretary-treasurer at the King County Labor Council, says a Democratic lawmaker once inappropriately touched her when she worked as a lobbyist at Washington’s Capitol.

%

INLINE

%

Former state Rep. Jessyn Farrell, a Seattle Democrat and former mayoral candidate, told a similar story. She said a lobbyist once “grabbed” her butt while working in one of the buildings that houses legislator offices and committee rooms.

“That was shocking. It was very clearly a pat on my heinie, not my waist,” said Farrell, who served in the House from 2013 until 2017 before leaving to run for Seattle mayor.

The other seven of the women interviewed said they had to contend with behavior that made them feel uncomfortable. Read more here.

Four women speak against Washington state lawmaker 

In the wake of the Olympia interviews, four women have accused former Democratic Rep. Brendan Williams of sexual harassment and assault during his time in the Legislature.

The claims arose when Williams posted a comment on a reporter’s link to the Tacoma News Tribune story, saying he was proud of one of the women in the article for speaking out. That sparked a response by Lindsey Grad, a lobbyist for the union SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW, who said she received unwanted attention and touching from Williams a decade ago, including putting his hands on her leg under the table at a work dinner.

Read more about the story here.

Since the Olympia allegations, more than 170 women — including lobbyists and lawmakers — signed a letter calling for a culture change at the Washington state Capitol when it comes to dealing with sexual harassment.

Related coverage to #MeToo