Addis Releases Statement on Survivor Justice and Public Accountability

SACRAMENTO-Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay), released the following statement calling for U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner to withdraw from the race over allegations of sexual misconduct and the recent ruling by New York U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan affirming a $5.8 million judgment against Donald Trump in favor of E. Jean Carroll following defamation claims:

"Survivors matter and must be believed. We cannot let power and position reign over accountability and justice.

This is why U.S. Senate Candidate Graham Platner must step aside. It is also why I am grateful New York U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan sided with E. Jean Carroll to ensure President Donald Trump pays the $5.8 million judgement he owes after defaming her.

Since assuming office, I have introduced legislation to prevent child sex assault, hold perpetrators accountable, and guarantee access to justice.

I have made this a focus of my work because too often power and position have been used to silence and re-traumatize survivors. This includes corroborated accounts of sexual assault by Donald Trump, Eric Swalwell, Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth and too many more. Too often survivors are carrying the trauma while perpetrators remain in power.

Serving in public office is one of the highest honors and leaders must earn the public's trust. Our responsibility is not to protect the powerful, it is to protect those whose voices have too often gone unheard."

Dawn Addis was elected to the California State Assembly in 2022 to represent the coastal 30th Assembly District, which includes San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Santa Cruz Counties. She is the Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee 1 on Health.

CONTACT: Alexis Garcia-Arrazola, (831) 649-2832