WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Policy Co-Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, joined the Democratic Women’s Caucus in issuing the following statement condemning the recent increase in hateful, sexist rhetoric online following the election results.

“As members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, we are deeply alarmed by the recent increase in online abuse directed at girls and women. Since Election Day, we have witnessed a troubling rise in hateful, sexist, and misogynistic rhetoric, including the disturbing use of the phrase ‘your body, my choice.’

“This spike in harmful language online is also showing up in the hallways of our schools. We encourage parents and administrators to engage in meaningful conversation and help all children understand that this language is threatening and unacceptable.

“Together, we affirm that every woman in America has a right to make her own choices about her body and her health care. To women and girls of all ages across this nation, your body is yours alone. Sexual assault and harassment should never be tolerated, and you deserve to feel safe in your school, in your community, and online. This Caucus stands with you.”

Throughout her time in Congress—and as a survivor of sexual violence herself—Rep. Pressley has been a champion for justice for survivors of sexual violence and reproductive freedom.

In July 2024, Rep. Pressley reintroduced the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (BE HEARD) in the Workplace Act of 2024. In June 2024, Rep. Pressley renewed her calls for accountability and survivor-focused solutions following the damning reports of a toxic work environment at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).  In June 2024, Rep. Pressley also sent a letter to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) requesting information about the botched closure of FCI Dublin, abuse of women while they were being transferred to other facilities, and BOP’s management of investigations into the staff sexual misconduct and abuse at FCI Dublin and other federal BOP facilities.

Rep. Pressley is also a lead co-sponsor of H.R. 5388, legislation that would prevent the Secretary of Education from rolling back Title IX protections for survivors, as well as H.Res. 560, a resolution calling for an impeachment inquiry into Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, following reporting on new allegations of sexual misconduct committed by the Associate Justice.

In April 2019, following the passage of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, Rep. Pressley issued a statement honoring her mother, Sandra Pressley, a survivor of domestic violence. Rep. Pressley is also the lead co-sponsor of an amendment to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that would establish the first-ever grant program dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, which passed the House of Representatives in March 2021.

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