Political candidate in Arizona reports she was raped while out mending campaign signs

Bernadette Greene-Placentia, a Democratic candidate running for Congress in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, is speaking out publicly after she says she was sexually assaulted over the summer while repairing campaign signs near Sun City. Greene-Placentia reported the incident to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office roughly two weeks after it occurred, according to a report published Wednesday by the Phoenix New Times. A spokesperson for the sheriff confirmed to The Independent that a report was filed August 31 and remains active. No additional information was available. The assault occurred around 2 a.m. on a Friday morning, according to records and interview accounts provided to the Phoenix New Times. Greene-Placentia pulled her Jeep Grand Cherokee into a parking lot near 99th Avenue and Bell Road to fix a damaged sign — a frequent late-night routine intended to avoid daytime heat and traffic.Per the newspaper, shortly after stepping out of her vehicle, she says an unknown man struck her over the head, causing her to lose consciousness. She awoke on the asphalt to find a man on top of her, assaulting her.“It’s just these little tiny flashes of things that I do remember,” Greene-Placentia said in an interview with the Phoenix outlet. “As much as I don’t want to remember, I’ve tried very, very hard to remember more stuff. But that’s where I’m at.”Bernadette Greene-Placentia, a Democratic congressional candidate in Arizona’s 8th District, reported being sexually assaulted near Sun City during the early morning hours late this summer while repairing campaign signs. She formally reported the attack to local police more than two weeks later, and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office confirmed the investigation is active (Ballotpedia)The newspaper reports that a second man wearing black boots then approached, but backed away after Greene-Placentia kicked at him, saying, “Not even worth it.”The two men left her face down on the pavement while her vehicle’s engine and music were still running. Suffering from memory loss likely linked to a head injury, she drove back to her Sun City apartment and had little recollection of the immediate aftermath, per the newspaper. Following the assault, Greene-Placentia withdrew from her normal routine for two days, she says. Her husband, Alex Placentia, told the Phoenix New Times that he called her several times while she stayed at her Sun City residence, noting she seemed unwell and was taking frequent baths. Police reports indicate she experienced vaginal bleeding for three days following the attack and sustained extensive bruising across her body.Her landlord, Annarose Lily, recalled seeing her outside the apartment looking as though “she was gonna fall over,” though Greene-Placentia did not share what had happened until days later.On the following Sunday morning, campaign staff noticed her physical distress at a canvass launch event in Chandler, Arizona. Campaign manager Isaiah Lopez and communications director Craig Beckman pulled her aside, where she disclosed the assault, per the newspaper. Greene-Placentia, a long-haul trucker who moved to the Phoenix area in 2017, is challenging Republican Representative Abe Hamadeh in the heavily conservative district — it covers parts of the northwest Valley, including north Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Sun City and Anthem (Reuters)“I spent quite a lot of time explaining to her that this isn’t her fault,” Beckman told the publication. “Just because she put herself in a vulnerable position doesn’t give a man an excuse to physically or sexually assault her.” Greene-Placentia disclosed the attack to her husband the following day. “Being a husband, I wanted to beat the hell out of somebody,” Placentia told the Phoenix New Times, recalling his initial reaction. The candidate described feeling intense anger after the attack, recalling how she told her husband and campaign team, “I want a f***ing rematch.”“I want to call them out,” she said. “I want to like go on TV and say ‘Let’s go again and don’t come at me from behind.’”She added: “I know that sounds crazy, but I was just mad.”Greene-Placentia, a long-haul trucker who moved to the area in 2017, is challenging Republican Representative Abe Hamadeh in the heavily conservative district. The district covers parts of the northwest Valley, including north Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Sun City and Anthem.Despite her initial hesitation to report the attack out of embarrassment, Greene-Placentia decided to speak out to encourage other survivors to come forward.“I need to let women know that it’s okay to talk about it,” she told the Phoenix New Times. “We’re asking people to stand up and donate or volunteer. We’re asking those folks to be uncomfortable, as Secretary Fontes says; then I have to be willing to be uncomfortable too.” The Independent has contacted Greene-Placentia’s office for comment. For those affected by rape and sexual abuse, if you are in the United States, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673).Rape Crisis also offers support. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk.