Actress Bridgit Mendler, left, and Christine Blasey Ford. (Photo: Getty Images)

As Christine Blasey Ford receives harassment and death threats for having accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her in high school, her colleagues and family are speaking out about the professor’s honesty and accountability.

Her latest supporter is actress and musician Bridgit Mendler, Ford’s niece, who tweeted a letter on Thursday that was written by Ford’s extended family. “Dr Christine Blasey Ford, or Aunt Chrissy as I know her is the person who patiently helped me with my college application, she was the first to give me a hug when I saw my family on vacation,” tweeted Mendler. “Please remember her humanity. This is a message from our family. #DearProfessorFord.”



Dr Christine Blasey Ford, or Aunt Chrissy as I know her is the person who patiently helped me with my college application, she was the first to give me a hug when I saw my family on vacation. Please remember her humanity. This is a message from our family #DearProfessorFord pic.twitter.com/p9Ptc6zIZv — Bridgit Mendler (@bridgitmendler) September 20, 2018

“We wish to express our full support for our sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, aunt and dear friend,” says the letter. “She is married to our brother, son and uncle Russell Ford, and is a loyal, reliable, involved family member of the most impeccable character. Chrissy has tremendous compassion for others, goes out of her way to support and encourage the young ones in our family and does so with great warmth and generosity.”

The letter also says that Ford, 51, is a role model for her two sons and a respected psychology professor at Palo Alto University. “Her honesty is above reproach,” the letter notes, “and her behavior is highly ethical and respectful of everyone’s point of view.” The professor’s family members stated that they continue to support Ford, who “acted bravely” by voicing her claims and that privacy is necessary while the accusations are investigated.

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Mendler’s tweet was largely received with supportive words.

I'm so sorry your aunt is having to deal with this hell she's going through. Please let her know she has the support of millions of women who are sexual assault survivors themselves. By speaking now, she is removing his hand from her mouth and is the voice for many survivors. — Angela Davis (@Mommynator) September 20, 2018

Thank you for this beautiful message of love, support and respect. Women all over the US support #DrBlaseyFord and commend her for her courage in taking the steps to right this terrible wrong. Sending love to your family💖🌅🇺🇸 — KLIGGETTONI (@KLIGGETTONI) September 20, 2018

Thank you for what your aunt is doing. She is truly a brave woman. In an increasingly corrupt environment in Washington, I hope her voice will be heard. We desperately need a truthful voice. — Maura ann walsh (@Mauraannwalsh1) September 20, 2018

On Thursday, Ford’s colleagues told the Los Angeles Times that she is “a woman of great integrity,” and, as the paper reported, “is described by colleagues as a rigorous statistician who doesn’t fudge the data or stray from the facts.”

Ford’s name became widely known on Sunday in the Washington Post, in the wake of her sending a private letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D. Calif., with her allegations — that Kavanaugh, President Trump‘s Supreme Court nominee, sexually assaulted her more than 30 years ago while the two attended high school in Washington.

According to Ford, Kavanaugh and a friend (since identified as Mark Judge), who were “stumbling drunk,” guided her into a bedroom during a party; while Judge watched, Ford alleges, Kavanaugh held her down on a bed and assaulted her while trying to pull off her bathing suit. Ford said her screams were muffled by Kavanaugh covering her mouth with his hand.

“I thought he might inadvertently kill me,” noted Ford in her letter. “He was trying to attack me and remove my clothing.” She was able to escape, she said, when Judge jumped on top of the bed, freeing her to flee.

Kavanaugh told the New Yorker, “I categorically and unequivocally deny this allegation. I did not do this back in high school or at any time.” And President Trump has said in support of his nominee, “This is not a man who deserves this.”

Ford has until Friday morning to decide whether or not she will testify against Kavanaugh in a public hearing on Monday. On Thursday, according to the Washington Post, Ford’s lawyer said that a Monday hearing is “not possible,” but that Ford “wishes to testify, provided that we can agree on terms that are fair and which ensure her safety.”

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