Let's give a collective, heartfelt DU HUG to all the brave women coming forward.

[pnwmom]

Thank you, ladies!

So many of us have had something like this happen in our lives, but most of us just try to forget it.

We know that you would have preferred not to have this kind of attention and we appreciate your bravery!

[ProudProgressiveNow]

1. K&R nt

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Absolutely! K&R n/t

[spooky3]

3. Only a consensual hug please

[Pacifist Patriot]

55. ^This

May I give you a hug smiley?

People are often surprised when I ask for permission before hugging. I'm starting to think I'm the only person around here who does that. But it's always seemed strange to me to just hug someone without asking. And I come from a very affection family that hugs a lot!

[rurallib]

4. You are doing your country a great service

We salute you

[sheshe2]

5. Brava!

[Lifelong Protester]

6. We thank you~

It could not be easy to re-live.

[LiberalLoner]

7. Huge K&R

[calimary]

8. They're all amazingly courageous, and they're patriots.

They're actually doing this to save their country.

And if it helps send Donald back to his gilded cage and onto history's also-ran trash dump, it WILL save the country.

Hopefully Humpty Trumpty will have a great fall, and I'm NOT talking autumn!

[Johnny2X2X]

9. And the dozens that will join this week

And probably hundreds more that won't come forward.

[SunSeeker]

10. K & R

[mcar]

11. Yes!

I hope they are prepared for the s$itstorm the Trumpeters are going to unleash on them. I honor and respect them and their courage.

[bluesbassman]

17. We need to have their backs whenever and wherever we can.

I usually don't engage in FB politics or comment in mainstream news articles, but I will make an exception for these ladies and defend them against any attacks from the deplorables.

Bravo and stay strong Ladies!

[Ligyron]

59. If enough women come forward it will be too much for him to persecute each and every one.

If he files suit against them we can get him on record, maybe even into a court where he can be mocked destroyed and perhaps even counter sued for years to come.

I just hope somebody with deep pockets will fund these women's legal bills and that he's bankrupted yet again as a result.

[gademocrat7]

12. K&R!

Thank you.

[Gothmog]

13. It takes bravery and guts to come forward

I applaud and respect these strong women

[BlueCollar]

14. kick....

[Blue Idaho]

15. We need to really listen to what women have to say.

As horrible as Trump is - women have suffered at the hands of lecherous old predators since about forever. I can't imagine the pain this will bring up to virtually every woman we know. Our mothers, our wives, our daughters, and our friends.

I honor you all.

[niyad]

69. you are absolutely correct.

[WheelWalker]

16. Absolutely !! The Medal of Freedom for each and every one !!

[brer cat]

18. They know they are walking into a storm.

He will try to destroy them. I salute my brave sisters.

[nolabear]

19. Heroes! They are genuine heroes.

These people deserve gratitude and any awards they can be given. They may well save the world.

[niyad]

20. k and r indeed!!!

[cry baby]

21. ...

[Adrahil]

22. I am in awe of their bravery.

Thank you ladies!

[Cracklin Charlie]

23. I wish my arms were longer.

I regret that I can only offer a virtual hug. But please know, that there are millions of people who are standing with you, and applaud your bravery.

[ecstatic]

24. K&R. Nt

[turbinetree]

25. You and millions deserve a big

And big


Wado ( Thank you)

[Generic Other]

26. So upsetting

The women's stories not only ring true, they showed incredible strength to come forward. Women need to circle the wagons and defend them tooth and nail as the Trump machine tries to ruin them.

[Divine Discontent]

27. Thank you, Ladies, and those close to them helping them through this ordeal.

[MFM008]

28. I know anyone else that has dealt with something

like this (or worse) lives/re-lives with it everyday.

[Laffy Kat]

29. ...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

30. Knowing what a vindictive bastard Trump is, this takes guts.

Brava to all of them.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

37. Not mention his followers. They will attempt to unleash hell on these ladies.

These people have to know what they are in for. They will need all the support available.

[Pachamama]

31. Our Sisters....

I actually have tears in my eyes right now....

As someone who has been sexually assaulted and also in my life been in circumstances similar to these women, I not only know what they have been through, but the fear that they felt, the shame and the feeling of loneliness that no one will listen, no one will care, no one will believe.

[pnwmom]

34. Thank you, Pachamama. Those women speak for all of us.

I'm sorry to hear how this has touched you.

[Pachamama]

36. Hug back to you...

I suspect that it is like PTSD returning for many assault victims who have experienced an assault on them by men like Trump who think it is okay to "grab them by the Pussy" and "do anything" because they can.

I have been physically ill and feeling upset since especially Sunday and watching the debate and seeing what Trump did and said. I knew, I felt it in my body that there had to be many many women out there that at this very moment were shaking because they were victims of Trump or a man like him.

This whole entire spectacle is bringing up so much for many... And it needs to be talked about. Mit needs to see the light of day. It is NOT okay for this to be excused by the GOP or anyone.

Anyone who excuses or apologizes for Trump or abusers like him, is themselves an abuser in my opinion.

[pnwmom]

41. Hopefully this is a huge moment for learning.

And begins a national conversation that is long overdue.

[radical noodle]

46. There was something else Sunday

women whose husbands have been unfaithful were especially affected by Trump putting Bill's accusers in the balcony and having that press conference before the debate. We could all know just how sick Hillary must have felt about it. She was cool and composed. I know I could not have done it.

I've heard several friends say they felt the same way. It just brings it all back... all the hurt and disappointment... the depression.

[Pachamama]

47. The attempt to shame Hillary with the women Trump paraded as if to not only "blame" her and say she

...was an accomplice and should be "jailed" and "had hate in her heart" and was "the devil" was as if a Salem witch trial was going on with Trump leading the chant for burning her at the stake for something she has no responsibility for. And yes, this was very much an abuse action against her and all women who have dealt with the pain of infidelity as Hillary has. I was sickened by that too.

I will never be an apologist for Bill Clinton. As a woman who dealt with my own husbands infidelities, I know that this has been painful for Hillary. I also think it's important to say that they are still married and have like many couples forgiven each other. It is their business and their marriage not ours. There are also two separate issues here: adultery between consenting adults versus sexual assault and rape. There is no question and no denying that Hillary Clinton's husband cheated on her. He has admitted it and it was very public and lots of shaming, most particular for Hillary. But the women who were paraded out in front of the world and in full display by Trump on Sunday are women who have made past allegations decades ago, have testified and who in many cases, including Juanita Broderick, given sworn affidavits that these things occurred with him and that they either stated later it did not happen, or after many lengthy investigations (think Kenneth Starr) were proven to not merit further investigation or any criminal charges. I as a sexual assault victim will never question any woman who states she was a victim. This is because even if someone is lying, there are most who will never be lying and they need to be heard and believed. But sadly, each of these women were and are being used and also taking money to be used and this is very sad and in fact further abuse of them, even if they have given permission. Them sitting there made me sick for them as well. But Bill Clinton is not running for President. And Hillary Clinton did not do anything to these women. And it makes me so angry to see what Trump is trying to do to Hillary and frankly to all women when he does this line of attack.

[radical noodle]

51. Well said!

My feelings exactly. It was disgusting and Trump put on the most public mean spirited display I've ever witnessed. It seemed to me that he was trying to deal a death blow.

I remember the Lewinsky affair like it was yesterday. I was hurt for her when it was happening and I hurt for her Sunday night.

[sarge43]

58. Exactly. Well said

I've been verbal and professionally threaten and abused, but never physically. I can't even imagine the pain.

Hand salute for our brave sisters. We have your backs.

[Hekate]

49. Pachamama, it is so good to see you again

[Pachamama]

60. Back at you Hekate

Feeling like the need for a DU reunion and happy to be back amongst friends again

:group hug:

[sarae]

32. K&R!!!

[Scurrilous]

33. K & R

[TryLogic]

35. Yes!

[Grassy Knoll]

38. .

[Cha]

39. Absolutely, pnwmom.. Mahalo!

[Coyotl]

40. K & R

[pnwmom]

45. So sorry, kestrel91396.

More than one of my friends in college was raped. I don't think any of them came forward.

But I don't blame them for their decisions -- the decisions that were theirs alone to make. If their attackers were repeat offenders, that is NOT the fault of their victims.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

54. I can relate. I often regret my failure to tell anyone at the time of my experiences.

I was not raped, but was inappropriately, non-consensually fondled and kissed. The first time I was 14 and it was a best friend's father, the second was one of my college professors who I also worked for. (There were other cases, but I was older and maybe not clear enough that no meant no.) In each case, for some crazy reason I did not want to embarrass the guilty part. I rejected the advances in the nicest possible way and didn't tell anyone until years later.

I later heard the professor had become a serial aggressor. Not sure of the extent of those incidents, but wish I'd had the nerve to speak up. Who knows if it would have done any good, but I can't help thinking it might have prevented subsequent incidents involving the other girls/women.

[Dem2]

43. Agreed

Horrible how they had to put up with the vile pig.

[radical noodle]

44. Yes!

[all american girl]

48. K & R Thanks pnwmom!!!!

[flamingdem]

50. Great post!!!

So important, kudos to the brave women!!!

[BlueMTexpat]

53. K&R!

[Raster]

56. Absolutely! Brava!

[VOX]

57. (((((((( T H A N K Y O U ! ))))))))))

To all the brave women on DU and beyond: you bring the light...without you, there is darkness. Thank you, with all my heart, for being your wise, strong selves -- your courageous endurance is in itself an ultimate victory. Mere words are inadequate to express the sheer tonnage of love and compassion felt. Truly, you are the best of us.

[BSdetect]

61. Hope you get through all this.

[TNNurse]

62. To anyone who criticizes

that they waited so long, can you imagine his reaction if they had accused him at the time? He would have humiliated them and maybe sued them. This is the time and they are strong to share now.

[wicket]

63. Love your Molly Ivins icon

Wish she were still around, I bet she'd be destroying Trump!

[TNNurse]

66. I think of her and Ann Richards and wish I could hear them comment now.

Nothing bad about your icon, either.

[LittleGirl]

64. It's giving me flashbacks

from all of those years when I still had my looks and had to fight off assholes. Literally.
If for no other reason, I appreciate that I don't look that good anymore, lol.

[raven mad]

65. Got it!

[NastyRiffraff]

67. That could not have been easy

Like too many women, I have been sexually assaulted; came close to being raped, twice. And I kept silent because I knew I'd be shamed.

BIG hugs to those heroic women

[rivegauche]

68. Yes. But you won't see HRC parade these women

in front of Dumpo at the next debate. She has far too much class and dignity for a sick stunt like that.

[geardaddy]

70. ...

[catbyte]

71. Thank you!

[blueseas]

72. K&R n/t

[relayerbob]

73. Yes! Thank you for facing up to this monster

[Eleanors38]

74. Hear! Hear!

[MAD Dave]

75. Thank you from Canada

As a Canadian, I sincerely appreciate every single person that had gone forward. I am very concerned with the thought of a Trump presidency.

[bettyellen]

76. Hugs and love!