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Mark-Viverito Says Trump Sex Assault Claims Recall Her Own Abuse

By Jeff Mays | October 13, 2016 11:45am
 City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito revealed on Twitter that she has been a victim of sexual abuse. The recent news about sexual assault allegations against Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump has
City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito revealed on Twitter that she has been a victim of sexual abuse. The recent news about sexual assault allegations against Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump has "re-opened wounds," Mark-Viverito said.
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William Alatriste/NYC Council

HARLEM — City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito revealed on Twitter Wednesday that she has been a victim of sexual abuse.

She said recent news about sexual assault allegations against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has "re-opened wounds."

Speaking at a City Hall press conference before Thursday's city council meeting, Mark-Viverito said she was molested by two different individuals on different occasions between the ages of 5 and 8.

"This is the first time I've ever publicly talked about this," said Mark-Viverito who added that she felt she should use her position to bring attention to the issue of sexual abuse.

The New York Times and other news outlets have recently reported that multiple women have accused Trump of sexually assaulting them.

One woman told the newspaper that Trump, whom she did not know, sexually assaulted her on an airplane, grabbing her breasts and trying to stick his hand up her skirt.

Another woman said Trump planted an unwanted kiss on her mouth after she introduced herself to him in an elevator.

"Trump's misogyny & sexual violence has re-opened wounds I've tried to heal," the speaker wrote in her tweet followed by the hashtag "basta," which means "enough" in Spanish.

Data from the Crimes Against Children Research Center found that 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse.

The allegations against Trump come days after a 2005 audio recording captured on an open microphone during a conversation with "Access Hollywood" host Billy Bush surfaced and showed the presidential nominee saying that his celebrity allowed him to do whatever he wants to women he's sexually attracted to.

“You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait," Trump said.

“Grab them by the p---y," Trump added. "You can do anything.”

Mark-Viverito said it was the Trump audio tape that brought up feelings she hadn't dealt with in years. She felt Trump was "boasting" about "violating and taking from a woman something without consent," she added.

"It was very painful for me and triggered things I hadn't felt in a long time," said Mark-Viverito.

The speaker, who was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, said it took years for her to even began dealing with her sexual abuse.

"I didn't start dealing with my abuse until I was in my 20s. That's what trauma does to you," she said.

Trump's remarks on the audio recording caused several Republican leaders to withdraw their support for the candidate. Trump called the audio "locker room talk."

During a debate against Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, Trump denied ever grabbing a woman in the manner he described on the tape.

Clinton called Trump's remarks "horrific" and said he must not be allowed to become president.

Mark-Viverito says she has a hard time even being around Trump supporters because of the "vile political climate" that we're in.

"I have a hard time being around people who would even support a Donald Trump," said Mark-Viverito." "Because in supporting Trump you are condoning this type of behavior."

Mark-Viverito has endorsed Clinton and has served as a surrogate for her, campaigning in places such as Las Vegas and New Hampshire.

This isn't the first time that Mark-Viverito has revealed personal information over Twitter.

In August 2014, Mark-Viverito tweeted that she had "high risk HPV," a sexually transmitted disease that could lead to cervical cancer.

Then, as now, Mark-Viverito received strong support for sharing her personal story. Her tweet has been retweeted nearly 500 times and liked over 1,000 times.

There were also some partisan attacks against the speaker, but she was unmoved.

"Thankfully, I've been getting a lot of positive support," the speaker said.

Mark-Viverito also recently launched #NotAFan to address domestic abuse in professional sports. She teamed up with the Yankees, Mets, Knicks, Liberty, Rangers and Cosmos to film a public service announcement on domestic abuse.