Pressley Has Led Efforts in Congress to Fight for Accountability and Healing for Survivors

Video (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – On the House floor, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) delivered an impassioned speech for survivors of sexual violence and trauma—including for activists with the farm workers’ movement, including Dolores Huerta, who shared their stories publicly earlier this month.

As a survivor of sexual abuse herself, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley has been a dedicated advocate for survivors’ justice and has led Oversight Committee Democrats in calling for a full Congressional hearing to ensure the firsthand accounts of survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse are heard.

A transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks is available below, and the video is available here.

Transcript: On House Floor, Pressley Speaks to Survivors of Sexual Violence After Dolores Huerta, Others Shared Their Stories

U.S. House of Representatives

March 26, 2026 

Mr. Speaker,

I rise today to speak to survivors of sexual violence in my district, across the country, and around the world. 

As a survivor of sexual violence myself, your stories matter. I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through. The shame that you carry, that was never yours to carry. 

For too long, survivors have suffered in silence while abusers have carried on without consequence. 

Last week, our sister survivor, Dolores Huerta shared her story publicly for the first time.

She revealed that she feared if she came forward, there would be no justice or accountability, only the vilification of a workers’ movement she had dedicated her life to. The burden, the pain, the silence she carried. 

For women and mothers, it’s far too often an experience, the brutal violence, only to hide their pain, wake up every day, carrying on for their children, for their community, for their family, while they are shattered inside. 

No survivor should have to suffer in silence. Society tells us our silence will stop the shame and trauma. It does not.

And while I will always respect and fight for survivors who choose privacy if it is part of their healing journey, I want you to know that I believe you. 

I believe you if your voice shakes. I believe you if it happened decades ago. I believe you if you shared your story in real time or buried it away for years.

I believe you.

Abusers may think they wield power through violent acts, but let me tell you, anyone who violates another person in this way is small and broken.

They should not be feared. They should be named, shamed and held accountable for survivors everywhere.

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