Fairfax Accuser Vanessa Tyson: ‘What Began as Consensual Kissing Quickly Turned Into a Sexual Assault’
“After the assault, I suffered from both deep humiliation and shame.”
Vanessa Tyson has accused Virginia Lt. Gov Justin Fairfax. After days of only hearing from Fairfax and people attempting to brush aside her claims, Tyson has come forward with her own statement:
What began as consensual kissing quickly turned into a sexual assault. Mr. Fairfax put his hand behind my neck and forcefully pushed my head towards his crotch. Only then did I realize that he had unbuckled his belt, unzipped his pants, and taken out his penis. He then forced his penis into my mouth. Utterly shocked and terrified, I tried to move my head away, but could not because his hand was holding down my neck and he was much stronger than me. As I cried and gagged, Mr. Fairfax forced me to perform oral sex on him. I cannot believe, given my obvious distress, that Mr. Fairfax thought this forced sexual act was consensual. To be very clear, I did not want to engage in oral sex with Mr. Fairfax and I never gave any form of consent. Quite the opposite. I consciously avoided Mr. Fairfax for the remainder of the Convention and I never spoke to him again.
After the assault, I suffered from both deep humiliation and shame. I did not speak about it for years, and I (like most survivors) suppressed those memories and emotions as a necessary means to continue my studies, and to pursue my goal of building a successful career as an academic. At the time, I found this horrific incident especially degrading given my regular volunteer work at a local rape crisis center. Over the next decade or so, I would go on to earn my PhD from the University of Chicago and become a tenured professor at Scripps College, a prestigious women’s college in Claremont, California.
Unlike Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who accused Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault, Tyson remembers the day, place, and all the details.
Believe all women, right?
She learned in October 2017 that Fairfax wanted to run for Lt. Gov. of Virginia. The image of Fairfax hit her “like a ton of bricks, triggering buried traumatic memories and the feelings of humiliation” that she tried to bury. She didn’t know what to do, but told her close friends that reside in Virginia about the assault.
The #MeToo movement gave her power to speak out and Tyson details how she approached The Washington Post about the assault, which ultimately decided not to run the story. She also explains what happened after her private post on Facebook went public:
After The Washington Post decided in March 2018 not to run my story, I felt powerless, frustrated, and completely drained. Again I tried to bury memories of this painful incident and focus on my work and my students.
On Friday, February 1, 2019, as stories appeared in the media suggesting that Governor Northam would have to resign and that Mr. Fairfax would be sworn in as Governor, I felt a jarring sense of both outrage and despair. That night I vented my frustration on Facebook in a message that I wrote as a private post. I did not identify Lt. Governor Fairfax by name but stated that it seemed inevitable that the campaign staffer who assaulted me during the Democratic Convention in 2004 was about to get a big promotion. It was not my intention in that moment to inject myself into what has become a much larger political battle.
The following morning, I was inundated with messages of care and concern from friends — including many I had told about the sexual assault — and numerous inquiries from journalists who had become aware of my post. Over the weekend, I was undecided about whether to speak out publicly. I knew that if I did so, I would immediately face accusations about my motives and be branded a liar, as is routinely the case when women come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against prominent men.
The Washington Post tried to explain that it chose not run the story because it found “significant red flags and inconsistencies with the allegations.” In his early morning statement, Fairfax lashed out. Tyson says that his “suggestion that The Washington Post found me not to be credible was deceitful, offensive, and profoundly upsetting.”
Tyson writes that Fairfax’s smear campaign against her is not proof that he did nothing wrong. She mentions how he brought up a 2007 video where she “talked about being the victim of incest and molestation,” but never brought up the assault from 2004. She insists that this “is not proof that he did not assault me” and the fact that he has used “this video to say the opposite is despicable and an offense to sexual assault survivors everywhere.”
The statement comes out right after NBC News learned from sources that Fairfax said “f*ck that bitch” in a meeting on Monday in reference to Tyson.
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Comments
Let’s see: How is this different from the accusation of Christine Blaset-Ford against Judge Kavanaugh?
1) specific date, time, location.
2) specific allegations of specific conduct Buy a legend attacker.
3) immediately told friends.
4) Friends reminded her when alleged assailant one elected office and possibly will be promoted to position as governor.
Sally MJ, you forgot a big difference. Ford named multiple witnesses who were unable to corroborate her account in any way.
Ford did not have a specific date or time, just general. She did not immediately tell her friends and nobody could verify her story. It is actually completely different. This appears to be true, unlike Kavanaugh,
Easier for her to claim she was not lying if everything is so confused.
Also easier for her partners in crime to give her cover that way.
Is this the way things are now? I meet you, we go to my hotel room a few minutes later, we kiss, I force you to give me a BJ? I’m not understanding this, how can he force something into her mouth? Couldn’t she have simply kept her mouth shut or maybe bit down or something?
I’m not saying it didn’t happen but I hear and read about things such as someone waking up on an airplane with someone’s hand down in their pants or a baby sitter complaining that when she woke up on the couch, the father was performing oral sex on her. No one woke up when they were first touched? How did it get that far with no one noticing?
How did this Fairfax guy get his, apparently fully formed package into her open mouth if she didn’t want it there? Really?
As I said, I’m not saying it didn’t happen but I just don’t see how it could happen the way it was described. Did Faifax “finish”? Did she have her hands tied or otherwise engaged?
We’ll see if the #metoo thingy is still functional.
I’m sorry if readers think me unsympathetic, I’m not, I’m just not understanding. As someone who would not even consider doing something like this in a billion-billion years, I just can’t see it happening. How strong and violent was Mr. Fairfax? Did he need to injure her to do this? Is this the only way he would enjoy it?
It’s obvious you have the outdated, American playbook. Throw it away, none of those rules apply any more. The newest edition is also easy to memorize because it’s so small. One sentence, in fact.
Isn’t that where the woman should have bitten down hard on his unit?
From where I sit, one little bite would have put him out of commission. If you want to get away you can and then scream!!!!There is something here of this victimhood that doesn’t hold water.
Are you suggesting that rape victims have never been forced to perform oral sex? Does it occur to you that she could have had her mouth open to scream when he shoved it in there? Don’t you think she might have been afraid to fight back when a much stronger man had his hands on her neck?
No I am not. but once he has you in that position you are not completely powerless. Knowing myself I would have been so bloody angry that I would have done everything possible to hurt him. That is one vulnerable position for a man.
A long time ago, one of my staff was carjacked after a church service, driven to a secluded park, and was forced to perform oral sex. “M” was angry and bit very hard and escaped to safety.
I’ve often wondered why more women don’t take this action. I would.
I should think because they are afraid of what the criminal would do.
They are sort of in a vulnerable position already……
He’s in the vulnerable position once a great big chomp is applied.
I think it depends on the circumstances. My staff was already feeling that no one was there to help so she had to take action.
In other circumstances, you may feel that you have no option to get away. I was mugged from behind – I relaxed, dropped everything I was holding, let the kids pick my purse up and leave and then I got to safety. Situation awareness is everything and this was back in 1980.
I too was mugged on my way to an evening class. I dropped my books and handbag and then when the SOB (unarmed) stooped to pick up my bag I kicked as hard as I could. Got my bag and books back and a ride to class in a squad car. Being from a different generation we looked at things differently. Shrinking violets we were not.
In my case, it was 2 kids vs me. And, I was carrying client files. I actually picked up the audit papers, walked to the street, found someone to report the attack. I hic-cup’d all evening while going through two bottles of wine. The next day, the manager nearly ran into a bus, the clients were pissed and the partner laughed. I left the firm a few months later. But, it took me a year to not be afraid of walking alone in the dark.
Not now – I am very aware of where I am and I am ready. Even if it is keys, knife, or gun.
“I would.”
Hell yes. Fight back. Bite the damn thing off. I guarantee he will leave you alone from that moment on.
Except, that he might have killed her at that moment.
Which is why carrying a firearm is the single greatest equalizer between a victim and attacker…. and never allow yourself to be taken to a secondary location.
The attack happened in early 1990’s – M felt that she was already in danger so that’s why she chomped down.
He took it personally since he had her car, purse, ID, etc. He stalked her at home and work. Once he started the work attacks, I contacted police, agreed to phone traces as well as prosecution if caught. The local guys told us to carry, aim center mass, and don’t worry. This was before OK had conceal carry.
Re guns – I am always going to the shooting range so that gun under the seat is legit. And, since I sail and race, I am always carrying a knife since you never know when you need to cut a spin sheet.
He might kill her at any moment.
We taught our daughter to fight back and made sure she was equipped with the tools to do it. Granddaughters age 4 and 6, grandsons 6 and 12, all learning the skills required right now.
I understand some women are not going to be capable. I suggest getting capable from a very young age.
I’m torn on this issue.
Everything about Fairfax’s response makes me believe that he’s guilty and he KNOWS he’s guilty.
But now the accuser has refused to file charges, even though (allegedly) the statute of limitations has not expired.
And that ALWAYS makes me skeptical. You are reporting a CRIME. Report it to the police or I’m not interested in your story.
So I’m very torn, the woman’s story and details seem credible, but refusing to file charges tells me she’s more interested in politically damaging him than in any kind of actual justice.
The DEMOCRAT MAFIA got to her obviously.
Maybe she feels that political assassination is enough retribution and she understands that filing criminal charges will dominate her life for an extended period?
Smart lady if so……..
No. Unacceptable. I don’t care who it is.
This just gives credence to the Democrat’s bullshit that screaming rape is just a political tool.
It is a CRIME. It’s not something to get back at your ex-boyfriend and get him expelled. It’s not a political tool to force somebody to resign. It’s not a tool to get a big settlement from a movie star.
It is a fucking CRIME, and if true the perpetrator should be in PRISON.
An unprovable crime, a he said she said. I know of no solution* to this problem. Women telling the truth are put through the wringer in court, which is why some choose not to go to court.
*short of the one were women always fight back so that they and the perp have the scars to prove it was an attack
It is actual justice, and proportional. This was date rape, not stranger rape. I suspect it’s rather common.
As American Human points out, the incident, as described, is hard to comprehend. Maybe she could specify how long this activity went on? One way of looking at this is that he TRIED to force her to perform oral sex. He held her down, but then the activity stopped. In this case, she was assaulted, assuming she never gave her consent.
A second way of looking at this, and this is difficult to understand, he forced her to continue the activity until he was done. I don’t see how this could have happened, but if it did, she was brutally assaulted.
In either case, I suspect he is toast.
[can I say that?]
That was funny, in that he is politically toast, and then your quipt turned what is clearly true, political toast, into a joke playing on his crashed hopes of riding racism into a higher office.
There are numerous incidents of violent rapes by complete strangers that include forceful oral sex. Are you suggesting none of these are real?
Not at all. We all know of cases where a woman has been kidnapped, carjacked, set upon by one or more violent predators. In many cases the man are armed. Force is threatened or used.
What we have here is closer to ‘date rape.’ Neither was intoxicated, armed. The man was not a sexual predator–not that we know. He wasn’t a criminal.
She was in the room voluntarily.
I don’t pretend to know what happened. But I’m not for a moment suggesting that what she claims happened didn’t happen, or that such cases don’t exist.
Most cases of rape include just one man, with no weapon other than his greater physical strength as the force involved. And I think she could assume he was a sexual predator once he held onto her neck and forced his penis into her mouth. At that point she would have no idea what he could be capable of next.
If he was suddenly “memberless”, it is doubtful that he could have responded any way other than passing out.
“The man was not a sexual predator–not that we know.”
It sure sounds like he is a sexual predator, and if so he probably victimized other women.
About that AMAZON.COM’s Washington Post…. (From Ace of Spades)
The Washington Post Spiked Her (Vanessa Tyson’s) Story:
That October [of 2017], as the #MeToo movement intensified, women throughout the world began forcefully speaking out about the sexual violence they had experienced and the impact of those experiences on their lives. The courage of so many women coming forward to confront powerful men and systems that allow such abuse to occur are part of what inspired me to action. I felt a responsibility to myself, the beloved students I teach, and the brave women I’ve tried to help overcome their own trauma. The passion and resolve of so many survivors, coupled with the job security that tenure afforded me, gave me the strength I simply did not have in 2004. By December 2017, I not only told many friends that Mr. Fairfax had sexually assaulted me but I also reached out to a personal friend at The Washington Post and spoke to his colleague about the assault.
After The Washington Post decided in March 2018 not to run my story, I felt powerless, frustrated, and completely drained. Again I tried to bury memories of this painful incident and focus on my work and my students.
Note well: The Washington Post just spent $5.5 million on a Super Bowl commercial praising its Firefighting Bravery.”
I’m sorry Professor Tyson but the rules are against you. If Fairfax was a pro-life Dem then you might have a chance. But since he too is for infanticide you have no choice but to be thrown under the DNC bus! Those are the rules of the Demorat party and all the sympathy in the world for your horrible experience will not get the lib women in Congress to support you. As for your legal team, I would not trust them as far as I could throw them. They too are all liberal Dems who are not only pro-choice but are for infanticide.
he’s gonna need to #learntocode soon I think.
“The Washington Post tried to explain that it chose not run the story because it found “significant red flags and inconsistencies with the allegations.'”
This is incorrect as written. The “red flag” statement was from Fairfax’s camp. The Post denied that.
“What Began as Consensual Kissing Quickly Turned . . . “
Ah yes, the woman changes her mind at some point. Well, what a surprise. So the question becomes, exactly when? She says one thing, he says another. Ho, hum. . .
This is a far cry from most of the “she changed her mind” situations, in which the woman has sex and then days or even months later changes her mind. Dr. Tyson kissed Fairfax but didn’t consent to oral sex; no changing of her mind was needed as she didn’t agree to that (by her reckoning).
Neither party is denying that something happened in that room. What that was is the – he says…she says. With Judge K, it was a case of – she says and he says he wasn’t even in the room.
Buried lede:
She mentions how he brought up a 2007 video where she “talked about being the victim of incest and molestation
If she was a victim of incest and molestation, then she’s almost certainly suffering from Complex PTSD. That makes her a profoundly unreliable witness and her testimony suspect.
Her statement contains descriptions of rather a lot of passive-aggressive behaviour, as well as references to discredited “suppressed memory” theory. If I were a betting man, I’d put $20 on she’s making it up.
Fairfax should have to live up to his own standards IE F the bitch.
Anyone know ANY case where a woman in that position bit the accoster’s member clean off and the assault didn’t come to a sudden end with the guy on his knees instead??
I think if it were that easy to bite down on it while gagging, then you would hear a lot more stories about dismembered rapists. I can’t recall any.
On his knees after breaking he neck, that is the problem.
I agree it’s difficult to understand how a man could force a woman to perform oral sex on him and come away unscathed. Despite all the talk we get from feminists about “rape culture” it has never occurred to me to try to force a woman to do anything that she didn’t want to do. But I read stories like this and I can’t help but think if it were to occur to me my wedding tackle is going nowhere near teeth.
But apparently she was terrified. I do know that many rape victims only think about getting it over with. This may come across as callous and crude, but many rape victims experience orgasm. So in addition to the shame and guilt that any rape victim would feel, the women who climax also have to deal with the fact that their own bodies betrayed them. Or, they’re left to wonder if secretly they wanted it to happen.
Of course, they really have nothing to be ashamed of. It’s just not possible to execute complete control ovor our own bodies. It’s going to sound impossible, but female-on-male rape is a fairly common occurance in southern Africa.
https://buzzsouthafrica.com/more-men-are-being-raped-in-south-africa-3-ladies-raped-a-man-on-gun-point/
Generally people don’t think such a crime is possible? How can a man get an erection when a woman puts a gun to his head? He must have been a willing participant. So when three women have group sex with him he can’t complain because he got really, really lucky, right?
If you know anything about many African cultures you know that just isn’t true. Superstitions about black magic/witchcraft are still very powerful. If a witch just gets a hair from your comb she can control you. Many people go so far as to bury their fingernail clippings. And their is no more powerful “medicine” a witch can have over a man than his semen. So these women generally rape men to harvest their semen. And the men are well and truly scared but they can’t help themselves.
So I can see how a woman might be forced to perform oral sex on a man and be too petrified to go all Lorena Bobbitt on him.
“And the men are well and truly scared but they can’t help themselves.”
Which shows why Africa is a shithole today, lots of people left behind by evolution, with no way to fix it, at least not yet.
Still waiting on actual collaborating evidence before I jump on this bandwagon.
Still waiting…
You are right, there should be due process. She should have filed a police complaint at the time.
Still, Democrats pushed the #MeToo agenda, and the push the black agenda, much of which is simply scheming for unearned advantage and power.
An awful lot of black demands have become outrageous, and their propensity to generally ignore law, and even worse to illegally persecute people like George Zimmerman, Officer Wilson and many others, their friends, families, and even businesses associated with those they do not like, need to be reigned in.
So am I. I’m also waiting for the democrats to play by the rules they’ve set.
If she is willing to sue this disgusting pig I will gladly contribute money to pay her legal fees. It’s an absolute disgrace that the Washington Post buried this story.
“Dr” Tyson
I’ll state up front that I voted for Lt. Governor Fairfax’s opponent. When the accusation against him initially surfaced several days ago, I found it credible, based primarily upon the “who benefits?” principle — I couldn’t see any reason why Dr. Tyson, herself a committed Democrat, to judge by her own testimony, her chosen career, and a photograph taken of her with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, would have to fabricate a sexual assault story against Lt. Governor Fairfax. Why would she want to subject herself to all the media frenzy and public attention, much of it likely to be hostile, if her version of events was not true?
Yet, given a few more days and more information about Dr. Tyson’s chosen career and professional affiliations, I can recognize a potential motivation for Dr. Tyson to willfully mischaracterize what happened in 2004 between her and Mr. Fairfax. Dr. Tyson’s academic concentration is the study of sexual assaults and the political ramifications of such events when they involve public figures and elected officials. She will soon be speaking at a conference dedicated to this subject. By letting her friends and colleagues know, as she did initially in the weeks leading up to Mr. Fairfax’s election to the office of Virginia Lt. Governor, that she had been the victim of a sexual assault by a now-powerful and influential man, she garnered a psychic wage — the sympathy and accolades of the persons closest to her professionally. By ramping up her accusation at this time, with the attention of much of the media and political junkies on the Virginia state government scandals, she will likely become a heroine — not to the public at large, and not to the Democratic Party, but within her professional circle of academics focused on issues surrounding sexual harassment and assault. She will benefit from the approbation of her professional peers and may end up doing better financially and professionally, thanks to likely being invited as a featured speaker/honored guest to numerous symposia and conferences.
Again, I am not a political supporter of Lt. Governor Fairfax, and I fully admit my initial impulse was to believe the worst of him. Yet, given more reflection and additional information, I now see that it is possible that he may be more truthful in this matter than Dr. Tyson is being. She has stated that she never communicated with him again after the event in question. He has said that she continued keeping in touch. I believe that, should he be able to produce old emails or letters from her that post-date the situation in the hotel room, and those communications show that she remained friendly and eager to stay in touch, my postulation is more likely than not to be valid.
so, uh, where are the angry protestors outside of fairfax’s office? all women must be believed!
what’s that? he’s black and a democrat? never mind.