The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) was deeply concerned to learn about the allegations made against Denver Public Schools Board Director Tay Anderson. As an organization, CIRC is dedicated to values of justice and the importance of making space for systematically silenced voices. Accordingly, we are mindful both of the importance of believing survivors, and of the dangers of drawing conclusions before the results of an investigation –– as we would be in any case of allegations of violence and/or coercion through immigration enforcement-related threats.
CIRC has not had any direct contact with any of the alleged victims regarding this case.
Regardless of the outcome of this particular investigation, the circumstances shine a light on the need for more accessible mental health and legal resources for undocumented people experiencing sexual assault or intimate partner violence. Anyone experiencing trauma should be able to seek out support without fear of retaliation or deportation. And we will all be safer when everyone in our community can report sexual assault without fear of retaliation or deportation.