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Dear New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct,

We write as survivors of sexual assault and family, friends, and partners of survivors to urge you to exercise your authority to remove Judge James McClusky from the bench for his callous disregard for survivors of sexual assault. Last month, Judge McClusky callously dismissed the rape of a 14-year-old girl when, in his sentencing of the school bus driver who raped her, McClusky showed sympathy for the rapist because he raped "only one" girl. It is horrifying. 

No one should have to go through an entire court case just to be told that their assault didn't matter, but that's what Judge McClusky said. 

You have an opportunity to demonstrate your support for survivors of sexual violence by removing Judge McClusky from the bench for his unacceptable actions. And your decision has implications far beyond the tenure of one judge. Violence against women is an epidemic in this country: one in three women will be sexually assaulted at some point in their lives.

Millions of survivors are watching to see if you will act. If you do nothing and let Judge McClusky continue to hear cases--including those that involve sexual violence--then you are sending a clear and devastating message that the legal system does not care about survivors of sexual assault. 

Please take action to demonstrate that what Judge McClusky said is unacceptable. We urge you to censure Judge McClusky and remove him from the bench.

Sincerely,

Survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones