Republican presidential hopeful John Kasich advises women concerned about campus sexual assault to avoid parties with alcohol.
A first-year female student at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y., asked Kasich what he is “going to do in office as president to help me feel safer and more secure regarding sexual violence, harassment and rape?” during a town hall in Watertown, N.Y., Friday.
The Ohio governor spoke on the importance of going somewhere where “there is a confidential reporting, where this an ability for you to access a rape kit. Where that is kept confidential, but where it gives you the opportunity to be able to pursue justice, after you have had some time to reflect on it all.”
Kasich also talked about bringing changes Ohio made in its higher institutions to the entire country.
“Our coeds [female students] know exactly what the rules are, what the opportunities are, what the confidential polices are, so that you are not vulnerable, at risk, and can be preyed upon,” Kasich said. “I have two 16-year-old daughters, and I don’t even like to think about it.”
“It’s sad, but it’s something that I have to worry about,” the female student said.
“Well, I would give you — I’d also give you one bit of advice,” Kasich replied. “Don’t go to parties where there’s a lot of alcohol.”
The audience then applauded.
The Democratic National Committee immediately took issue with Kasich’s comments.
“Kasich and Trump continually like to blame victims of sexual & domestic violence. How insulting, offensive and wrong,” DNC spokeswoman Christina Freundlich tweeted.
The Ohio Democratic Party also condemned his comments, calling them “outrageous.”
Kasich is in New York ahead of Tuesday’s primary, where he hopes to place second as he trails both Donald Trump and Ted Cruz in the overall delegate count.
