California Democratic Party chair must reveal sex abuse report's findings - or resign [View all]

[TexasTowelie]

California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks says he wants to protect victims. Shielding victims from “further damage,” is why he decided to bury the party’s official investigation of the sexual misconduct charges that ended former party chair Eric Bauman’s reign in 2018, he says.

Which victims is Hicks talking about? The five former party staff members who filed lawsuits that the party settled for a reported $2.9 million last year? Or the numerous other alleged victims who declined to sue but still demand justice?

“In terms of talking about victims or survivors of abuse by Eric Bauman, we’re talking about a very large group of people, most of whom have not taken any action,” said Daraka Larimore-Hall, vice-chair of the CDP. “When I filed charges against Chairman Bauman to remove him, I was contacted by over 20 people with credible stories.”

Larimore-Hall, who lost the race for CDP chair to Hicks last year, is one of several high-ranking party officials challenging his decision to hide the investigation’s findings. Last week, Hicks announced on Twitter his decision to keep the report to himself, leaving it to victims to tell their own stories if they choose. His decision infuriated some CDP members who see the decision as a cover-up that retraumatizes victims.

Read more: https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/editorials/article242287391.html