In the #MeToo Era, We Can't Afford Quiet Representation

Medfield likes to raise leaders. Our high school awards its alumni who exhibit exceptional leadership every year with our Hall of Excellence. The school system, both students and teachers, leads the state and the country in quality education. Medfield kids grow up to lead their own communities and career fields. As a Medfield High School alumna, I can say with confidence that we know how have difficult conversations about the problems plaguing this world and how we can solve them. However, there is one crucial area in which we can do better: how we talk about sex, consent, and rape.

This blind spot is not an indictment of our schools. Medfield students are lucky to have a comprehensive sex education program that encompasses a wide range of topics, including safe sex and sexual violence. But if we as a community hope to raise a new generation of leaders in the fight against sexual assault and harassment, we need to continue this conversation in our homes and in our government.

Massachusetts prides itself on leading the nation in higher education. With 23.1% of females and 5.4% of males experiencing sexual assault on a college campus, it is imperative that we lead the nation in rape prevention efforts, too. This goal requires action from our legislature, and the people of Medfield must demand that our representatives be vocal advocates for positive change. It is wonderful that Representative Garlick has cosponsored bills that promote healthy sexual education before college and require colleges to adopt stronger policies combating rape. Our district needs a representative who will vote to protect survivors.

But beyond a vote, we need a representative who will be more vocal about the issues. Ted Steinberg aims to be that representative. Although the Massachusetts legislature recently passed a law to increase the amount of information the state, and, crucially, rape victims, have about rape kit testing, the state still lacks appropriate funding to combat the rape kit backlog and legislation to create a protocol for testing rape kits is still pending. Ted Steinberg worked in Pennsylvania to establish that protocol and allocate funds to testing rape kits. He has seen firsthand the government courage necessary to combat the chronic rape kit backlog, and he will bring his energy and experience to the State House. Instead of touting his previous accomplishments, Ted looks towards what Massachusetts still needs, supporting the messages of others and pushing the discussion forward.

When I first began advocating to increase protection for sexual assault survivors, many legislators dismissed my efforts. To them, the legislation was too small for them to actively support. Too many representatives agreed with me in private meetings, then refused to stand up and publicly articulate the views they claimed to hold. In his campaign for transparency, Ted Steinberg makes it clear where he stands on each issue. When it comes to survivors, he does not hide his support for their issues in fear of losing political capital. Through his campaign for state representative in Medfield, Dover, and Needham, he has already demonstrated the kind of political courage that Medfield needs in all levels of its leadership. The courage to start a conversation. To advocate for the people who need it most. To stand up for his beliefs, even if it is not politically expedient.

The country has arrived at a turning point in our conversation about rape. If Medfield hopes to lead the state in representation as well as education, we cannot afford to have representatives who do not speak up about the most pressing state and national issues. Ted Steinberg will be more than just a vote. He will be a voice.