Calls to US assault hotline surge after Senate hearing

WASHINGTON: A sexual assault hotline is reporting a surge in calls following the dramatic Senate testimony of university professor Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her decades ago.

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) said there was a 201 per cent increase in calls to the National Sexual Assault Hotline on Thursday, when Blasey Ford appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

US Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly, who had been considered a potential swing vote in the consideration of Kavanaugh, on Friday said he would vote against President Donald Trump’s court pick absent an FBI investigation into sexual assault allegations facing the nominee.

“While I would gladly welcome the opportunity to work with President Trump on a new nominee for this critically important position, if Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination comes before the full Senate for a vote under these circumstances, I will oppose it,” Donnelly said in a statement posted to Twitter.

Kavanaugh gained the support of a key Republican senator on Friday, virtually ensuring his nomination will advance to the full Senate a day after he adamantly denied the high-school-years sexual assault of a woman who testiied she was “100 per cent” he was guilty.

The vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee was set for 1:30pm on Friday.

Republican chairman chuck grass ley announced as the panel gaveled to order.

Moments before the panel convened, Arizona Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona, a member of the panel, announced he would vote to conirm Kavanaugh, who he said was entitled to the “presumption of innocence absent corroborating evidence.”

“We often see an uptick when sexual assault is in the news,” RAINN said.

“Since Dr Ford has come forward with her allegations, we have seen a 45.6 per cent uptick (in calls) compared to the same time period in 2017,” the organisation said.

In the run-up to her televised testimony, the number spiked even more.

“Last weekend, from Friday to Sunday, we saw a 57 per cent increase compared to an average Friday to Sunday,” RAINN said.

“Hearing about sexual violence in the media and online can be very dificult for survivors and their loved ones,” the group added in a tweet. “Remember to take care of yourself during these times.”