Sexual assault victim shocked as leftists defend attacker, fears for safety.
The Real Victim: A Sexual Assault Survivor’s Fight for Justice
In a shocking turn of events, a young woman named Maria, who was a victim of sexual assault by a teacher, finds herself facing a new battle. Not only did she have to endure the trauma of the abuse, but now she is also being attacked by far-left activists who defend her attacker as the real victim.
Maria, a Hispanic immigrant from California, bravely came forward to share her story of abuse at the hands of Matef Harmachis, a teacher with deep ties to the activist left. Despite multiple instances of misconduct, Harmachis was repeatedly put on leave by the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD).
“These people are really unhinged,” Maria said. ”When I saw those articles I was really scared for my safety.”
After a particularly disturbing incident where Harmachis growled and bit Maria’s ear during a study hall, he was finally convicted and fired. In a landmark victory, Maria sued Harmachis and the district, winning a nearly $1 million settlement.
However, Maria’s fight for justice did not end there. Activists and educators aligned with Harmachis and his leftist politics have launched a smear campaign to erase her as the victim and excuse his behavior.
The Disturbing Defense of an Abuser
The Santa Barbara Independent newspaper published an op-ed by a local activist named Marcelino Sepulveda, who claimed to speak on behalf of concerned educators. In the op-ed, Sepulveda attempted to redefine the “actual facts” of the Harmachis case and argued that false allegations of sexual assault by black men are common.
“To call me a liar makes them feel better because he can still continue to be part of that organization,” Maria said. “When in reality they’re giving a pedophile legitimate access to what they want, which is underage children.”
Sara Bazan, a psychologist and co-founder of Ethnic Studies Now! (ESN) Santa Barbara, also wrote an op-ed defending Harmachis and claiming that she witnessed the deep respect students had for him.
Maria, understandably, feels terrified for her safety in the community due to these articles written by individuals who claim to be defenders of women’s rights.
The Dark Side of Activism
Maria believes that the activist smear campaign against her is an attempt to protect the reputation of Ethnic Studies Now, an activist group that aims to integrate ethnic studies into public school curriculums. Shockingly, the group has a history of associating with child abusers.
She also expressed her concern about the dangerous narrative being spread among her peers, with some suggesting that she fabricated the assault to incarcerate a black man. Maria questions where these harmful ideas originated and how they were implanted in the minds of her classmates.
While ethnic studies is meant to empower the powerless, in this case, Harmachis held all the power, leaving Maria feeling helpless and betrayed by the very authority figures she once trusted.
A Network of Defenders
Disturbingly, numerous figures in the local education community have come to Harmachis’ defense, using his race and political activism as justifications for his actions. Even his wife, Diane Fujino, a professor of ethnic studies, wrote a letter claiming that her husband is fit to be in a classroom.
Paul R. Spickard, a professor at UCSB, and other teachers also defended Harmachis, suggesting that he was targeted for his advocacy for social justice.
It is clear that Maria’s fight for justice is far from over. She continues to face attacks from those who prioritize their ideology over the safety and well-being of innocent victims.
As Maria bravely stands up against this injustice, she hopes to shed light on the dark side of activism and protect others from experiencing the same trauma she endured.
Read the Daily Wire’s series on indoctrination and abuse in the Santa Barbara schools:
- ‘This Is A Cult’: How Wealthy Santa Barbara Foreshadowed The Fight Against Crackpot Curriculum
- Radical Activist Teacher Got Away With Shocking Behavior For Years
- The Disgraced Teacher Who Took The Name Of An Egyptian God And Radicalized A School District
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