Sexual assault is wrong and a serious crime for a good reason. But there has been sharp disagreement over how to properly evaluate accusations.

In 2018, Christine Blasey Ford accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her in the early 1980s. The charge came as Kavanaugh had just been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve on the Supreme Court. Democrats attempted to use her claim to derail  Kavanaugh’s nomination. They almost succeeded. Kavanaugh was confirmed by a vote of 50-48.

Blasey Ford’s accusation had a number of red flags. Aside from her testimony, there wasn’t any evidence that the two had ever met. Blasey Ford claimed a close childhood friend had witnessed the alleged assault. This friend, a liberal who opposed Kavanaugh’s elevation to the high court, didn’t remember the alleged events. Blasey Ford never pinpointed where the event took place.

But many Democrats, like then-Rep. Eric Swalwell, had a ready response. In a social media post at that time, he wrote, “She has nothing to gain and everything to lose. It’s time we #BelieveSurvivors instead of attack(ing) them.” Swalwell went on TV and said that if  Kavanaugh were innocent, the judge should want all the victims to be heard.

Fair enough. Too many sexual assault victims for too long have been ignored or had their allegations minimalized, it’s true. But what was under dispute wasn’t the need to believe accusers, it was how best to evaluate competing claims based on the evidence presented and to make sure that justice was served.

Until recently, Swalwell was a leading candidate to be the next governor of California. But then the San Francisco Chronicle reported on a former staffer who made specific and detailed allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. Swalwell forcefully denied the allegations, calling them “false.” He threatened to “where necessary bring legal action.” His lawyer sent a cease-and-desist letter.

Swalwell’s about-face is a reminder that accusations must be evaluated in context and with regard to the individual circumstances in play. He didn’t extend that courtesy to Kavanaugh, but he wanted it for himself.

Unlike in Kavanaugh’s case, credible accusations kept coming. CNN reported that four staffers accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct. Last week, a woman accused Swalwell of drugging her drink and then raping and choking her in 2018.

Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign collapsed. He resigned from Congress. There is speculation that he may face jail time for his alleged actions.

He should be grateful the legal system gives the accused due process, not the hashtag justice he sought to impose on Kavanaugh.

— From Tribune News Service