Texas congresswoman in deep water after Harvey Weinstein comments



See a list of women who said they've been sexually harassed or assaulted by Harvey Weinstein. less On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Dallas) sparked anger after suggesting that sexual assault prevention is "as much the woman's responsibility" as the man's.

See a list of women who said they've ... more On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Dallas) sparked anger after suggesting that sexual assault prevention is "as much the woman's responsibility" as the man's. Photo: KENNETH LAMBERT, AP Photo: KENNETH LAMBERT, AP Image 1 of / 54 Caption Close Texas congresswoman in deep water after Harvey Weinstein comments 1 / 54 Back to Gallery

A Dallas lawmaker is receiving backlash for suggesting that sexual assault prevention is "as much the woman's responsibility" as the man's.

While speaking to NBC 5, U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Dallas) gave her thoughts on the ongoing conversation about sexual harassment and assault, spurred by the accusations against Harvey Weinstein, a Hollywood film producer and long-time Democratic donor.

"I grew up in a time when it was as much the woman's responsibility as it was a man's — how you were dressed, what your behavior was," said Johnson. "I'm from the old school that you can have behaviors that appear to be inviting. It can be interpreted as such. That's the responsibility, I think, of the female. I think that males have a responsibility to be professional themselves."

Celebrities, people flooded social media with #MeToo to create awareness about sexual assault this week.

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On Twitter, users fired back at Johnson, a 23-year-veteran of the U.S. House.

it ain't the clothes. It's the power assumed and used. Do u know how many assaulted while in sweat pants, or uniforms? Ain't the clothes — Greatest Pumpkin (@TheMikaMajor) October 19, 2017

Women are sexually assaulted regardless of their clothing choices. It is ignorant to imply a correlation. — Penelope Pete (@penelope_pete) October 19, 2017

Eddie Bernice Johnson, being from the "old school" doesn't exempt you from being a decent human. No one "invites" being sexually assaulted. — oh_steph (@oh_steph) October 19, 2017

On Thursday, Johnson released a statement clarifying the comments she made with NBC 5.

"Sexual assault and harassment has no place in our society. This is something I believe deeply. And at each turn of my professional life, I have made it my mission to fight for women's rights," said Johnson. "I do not blame the victims of sexual assault for the actions of their assailants. I do acknowledge that my comments regarding behavior and attire come from an old school perspective that has shaped how some of us understand the issue, but that does not detract from the fact that criminals need to be held accountable for their actions

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"I will never condone those who feel they can abuse the power of their positions to sexually assault and harass women, and I will always encourage victims to come forward so that we can hold these criminals accountable," she said.

Since the Oct. 5 New York Times exposé on Weinstein, more than 40 accusations of sexual harassment or assault against the Hollywood producer have been unearthed.

See the list of women who said they've been sexually harassed or assaulted by Harvey Weinstein.