Sofie Karasek, a sexual assault survivor advocate, is accusing former Vice President Joe Biden of inappropriately touching her in 2016. She joins a growing handful of woman who have made such claims against the 36-year Delaware senator and likely 2020 Democratic presidential candidate.

“Soon the photo of our foreheads together went viral. #MeToo hadn’t yet exploded. There was no space for a nuanced discussion of whether that level of intimacy, between a 22-year-old and the vice president of the United States, was appropriate,” said Karasek in an op-ed published in the Washington Post Thursday.

Karasek described being originally proud of the moment she shared with Biden and even excitedly talking about it with Biden two months later.

“But as time passed I began to feel a sense of shame and belittlement every time I saw the photo. I had displayed it on a bookshelf in my room, but I eventually took it down because people would make fun of it — “It looks like he’s about to kiss you!” It brought up too many conflicting feelings,” she added.

Biden has now been accused of inappropriate touching by eight women. Lucy Flores first accused Biden last week ago of smelling her hair and landing an unwanted slow kiss on the back of her neck. Since then, multiple women have accused Biden of inappropriate touching ranging from putting his hand to low on someone’s back to touching another woman’s thigh.

Biden released a video Wednesday on Twitter apologizing for his touching, calling them “gestures of support and encouragement.”



Social norms are changing. I understand that, and I’ve heard what these women are saying. Politics to me has always been about making connections, but I will be more mindful about respecting personal space in the future. That’s my responsibility and I will meet it. pic.twitter.com/Ya2mf5ODts — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 3, 2019



President Donald Trump weighed in on the controversy Thursday morning with a tweet stating “WELCOME BACK JOE!” complete with a mock video of Joe Biden creeping on himself.

[ Read more: Biden hits back after Trump mocks him over touching claims]

