'Public humiliation': Former Idaho congressional intern sues lawmaker for revealing her name during rape case

11 March 2023

A former Idaho congressional intern is suing two GOP lawmakers — one who was convicted of her rape — and another for after revealing her identity during the rape trial, NBC reports.

According to The New York Times, GOP Rep. Priscilla Giddings, "was stripped of a committee assignment" in 2021, after she "shared an article that included the intern's personal details on Facebook and in a newsletter with her supporters."

The ex-intern's attorneys, Erika Birch and Guy Hallam, wrote in the filing, "Because of the release of Ms. Doe's identity, Ms. Doe has continually suffered public humiliation and harassment on social media and at public events."

In the lawsuit, "Jane Doe" alleges the lawmakers "retaliated" after she reported Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger raped her, "by publicly releasing her name, encouraging media outlets to publicize it, and lying about her."

After Doe reported the rape in March of 2021, NBC reports:

Her report triggered an ethics investigation into von Ehlinger, who resigned before the full House could vote on whether to remove him from office. It also triggered a criminal investigation and in 2022 von Ehlinger was convicted of rape and sentenced to up to 20 years in prison, though he could be eligible for parole as soon as 2030. During the investigation and trial, von Ehlinger maintained he and Doe had consensual sexual contact.

Per the NYT, Giddings, who is currently vying for lieutenant governor after "losing in the 2022 Republican primary," maintains she has "done nothing wrong," although she was also "censured by the Legislature's ethics committee" for her choice to release Doe's identity.

Earlier this week she said, "I would not have done anything differently. I think my intent was pure."

However, the filing reinforced, "Ms. Doe suffered and continues to suffer extreme emotional distress including suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety and panic attacks."

Last year, the NYT reported:

Sharing a person's information online without their consent, a practice called doxxing, has often been used against women speaking out about sexual abuse. In May, Colorado made it illegal to share the personal information of public health workers and their families online for the purposes of harassment.

Doe is "seeking unspecified monetary damages," according to NBC.

NBC's full report is available at this link. The New York Times' full report is here (subscription required).

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