Elizabeth Smart: Trump’s ‘Locker Room Banter’ Is No Justification For Sexual Assault (VIDEO)

This week, the Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump faced the biggest scandal of his campaign when confronted with audio from a 2005 Access Hollywood special. He talked about forcing himself on women.

At the second presidential debate, Donald Trump dismissed these disgusting comments as “locker room banter.”

Sexual assault survivor Elizabeth Smart has weighed in on Trump’s disgusting comments. She had this to say in an interview with Salt Lake Tribune:

“The worst part about it is listening to people trying to belittle it, just saying, ‘Well, it’s locker-room talk, it’s locker-room banter,’ she told the Salt Lake Tribune. ‘Anyone belittling sexual violence, sexual abuse, they’re doing a huge disservice to victims of violent crimes, violent sexual abuse. There’s no justifying it — ever.’”

She pointed out how comments like this perpetuate rape culture, saying:

“I know I was raised to be kind, to be polite. You didn’t say no, you only said yes. I wish the word ‘no’ was emphasized. ‘No’ is a good word to say every now and again, especially when it comes to your personal well-being.”

Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped out of her bedroom in 2002 at the age of 14. She was held captive for nine months. She survived by following her captors’ orders, and she manipulated them to bring her closer to home.

She talked about the first time one of her captors, Brian David Mitchell raped her, saying:

“I remember him forcing me onto the ground, (and) fighting the whole way. And then when he was finished, he stood up, and I was left alone, feeling absolutely broken, absolutely shattered. I was broken beyond repair. I was going to be thrown away.”

He raped her every day, multiple times a day for the entire nine months. She was tortured and brutalized, and then he would withhold food for days at a time.

Today, Smart is an activist and speaks about her story all over the country.

Mr. Trump, sexual assault is not “locker room banter.” It is serious, and it shouldn’t be trivialized.

Featured image via YouTube screenshot.

Hi, I'm from Huntsville, AL. I'm a Liberal living in the Bible Belt, which can be quite challenging at times. I'm passionate about many issues including mental health, women's rights, gay rights, and many others. Check out my blog weneedtotalkaboutmentalhealth.com