Earlier this week, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez bravely told her horrific experience during the heinous attack on the Capitol, detailing how she hid in a bathroom while right-wing domestic terrorists accosted her staff, shouting, “Where is she! Where is she!” The situation was so dire that AOC said she was convinced she was going to die.

In the middle of her retelling of events, AOC shared that this incident was especially traumatic because she is a survivor of sexual assault. And as AOC eloquently put it, “when we go through trauma, trauma compounds on each other.”

I am grateful for AOC’s vulnerability in sharing something so personal and traumatic. I know from personal experience how difficult this can be—especially as a public figure.

But the response to AOC, particularly from those on the right, truly disgusts me. From undermining, to mocking, to outright calling her a liar, the negative responses were immediate and abhorrent.

I wish I could say I was surprised by this, but we’ve seen it time and time again when women tell our stories. I received the same reactions when I stepped forward to call out the sexual harassment I experienced while working in Governor Cuomo’s office. Like AOC, I have also been told that I made something up for political gain.

I am running for office to make sure every person dealing with trauma, mental health, or sexual assault is heard. We will no longer accept a failed system that sweeps our stories under the rug.

This issue is near to my heart, and I truly believe in the change our campaign is fighting for. So will you chip in now to help me bring new leadership to our city?