A Democratic candidate for the US Congress says she was raped while repairing a damaged campaign sign in Arizona.
Bernadette Greene-Placentia described the alleged attack in an interview with the Phoenix New Times. She said two men assaulted her while she was working on the sign.
Greene-Placentia said she lost consciousness after being struck on the head. When she regained awareness, she said one of the men was sexually assaulting her.
She later told The New York Times that parts of her memory were unclear. However, she recalled fighting back and kicking the attackers until they fled.
The candidate did not immediately report the alleged assault.
She said embarrassment and emotional distress prevented her from coming forward at first. She also withdrew from others and missed a campaign event.
Two weeks later, Greene-Placentia reported the incident to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. A department representative confirmed to AFP that an investigation is underway. Officials declined to provide further details while the case remains active.
Greene-Placentia said her decision to report the alleged attack was connected to her campaign promise to represent and protect all constituents.
She said she could not continue speaking about public service without also standing with women who experience sexual assault.
The former long-haul truck driver is running against Republican incumbent Abraham Hamadeh in the November midterm election.
Greene-Placentia said she does not want the alleged assault to define her campaign.
Her platform remains focused on issues including healthcare and affordability.
She also expressed concern that some voters could wrongly view the report as a political strategy. However, she said women should know they can come forward after sexual violence.
The police investigation into the alleged attack remains ongoing.
