Can Swalwell Sue his Victims? Experts, Advocates Hold Virtual Presser to Keep Abusers from Silencing Survivors

NEW YORK, NY (04/15/2026) (readMedia)-- On Thursday, survivors, legal experts, and advocates will hold a virtual press conference to shed light on the devastating impacts retaliatory defamation lawsuits or threats of them have on survivors, and the need for legislators in New York to protect them. Recent reporting on Eric Swalwell's alleged sexual misconduct and assaults underscores the many hurdles survivors face in speaking out publicly against their abusers. Compounding these hurdles is the very real risk that survivors who speak out about their abuse could be countersued for defamation-a silencing tactic being used at an alarming rate.

ZOOM LINK FOR THE PRESS CONFERENCE HERE.

Before suspending his bid for governor of California and announcing his resignation from Congress, Eric Swalwell released a statement firmly denying multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault allegations from two women, one of which is under investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney, the other by the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. In the statement, Swalwell warned, "I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action".

By threatening legal action, Swalwell is following a rising trend of abusers suing or threatening legal action to silence their victims. In New York, this silencing strategy remains alarmingly easy to exploit. In addition to the many high-profile cases involving celebrities and those with outsized power, survivors abused in schools, workplaces, and everyday life, who often lack the power and resources to fight back, are also being silenced through defamation suits.

Speakers at tomorrow's press conference will include Charlotte Bennett, survivor advocate whom former Governor Cuomo threatened to sue for defamation after she sued him for sexual harrassment; Erica Vladimer, founding director of Harassment-Free New York, who was forcibly kissed by former State Senator Jeff Klein; Ashley Grace, a California based survivor advocate who recently attended a court proceeding in New York to determine whether her abuser can countersue for defamation for her public comments about the case she brought against him under New York's Adult Survivor Act; Victoria Burke, attorney and architect of the 'Speak Your Truth' model legislation passed in CA, OR, CT, and ME, and introduced in states across the country; and Emily Miles, executive director of the NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault.

They will underscore the urgent need for lawmakers to close legal gaps that continue to allow abusers to silence their victims, and deter other survivors from speaking out. Victoria Burke will also outline what Eric Swalwell can legally do to retaliate under existing California law.

A recording of the press conference will be available after it concludes.