The allegations against Brett Kavanaugh, and the country’s reactions to them, provide an opportunity to examine the way we respond to contested sexual assault accusations. Regardless of politics, we should treat the discussion with the respect and care the topic deserves.

Because there are almost certainly people you know personally who are victims of abuse of power and sexual assault.

You may not know it yet. Perhaps they haven’t spoken about it yet. You may never know about it. Perhaps they may never speak up about it. They may choose instead to remain silent.

And this is where our language matters.