U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-California, suspended his gubernatorial campaign on April 12, after multiple women came forward with reports of sexual misconduct, including rape. The decision follows several high-profile Democrats pulling their support of the congressman, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Unfortunately, he was unable to make a sincere apology without calling into question the validity of the accusations against him.

“To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past,” Swalwell posted on X. “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made − but that's my fight, not a campaign's.”

It’s not much of an apology when you’re following it up with claims that these allegations are false, but hey, that’s just what we’ve come to expect from accused politicians who refuse to acknowledge the severity of their actions' results until they are confronted with them publicly.

Before Swalwell announced on the evening of April 13 that he planned to resign from Congress, his fellow lawmakers took their time trying to decide if he should be removed from the House. The answer is simple: Swalwell absolutely should be, as should anyone who is credibly accused of sexual abuse. This isn’t a partisan issue – this is an issue of morality.

Swalwell allegations are disgusting – and too familiar

The allegations against Swalwell are disgusting. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the woman who made the first complaint was 21 when she began working for the U.S. congressman, who started pursuing her shortly after. He would send her Snapchat messages of his genitals and ask for nude photos.

She detailed two instances alleging that Swalwell sexually assaulted her when she was too drunk to consent. The second time, she described pushing him away and telling him “no” before he allegedly forced himself on her.

Following the Chronicle story, CNN spoke with multiple women who alleged that Swalwell sexually assaulted them or committed various misconduct.

Apparently, there had been whispers circulating about Swalwell before these stories broke, but it's hard to believe a man with a 20-year public service career is just now becoming an abuser.

Make it easier, and safer, for sexual abuse survivors to share their stories

It should not take years for someone to face consequences for their behavior. No one can change when survivors feel comfortable coming forward with their experiences, but we should not be allowing sexual abuse to be an open secret among elites.

We need to make it easier for survivors to come forward, and it starts with fostering a culture where they feel safe. Within political parties, there needs to be a mechanism for reporting so that survivors can share their stories on their terms.

It’s also a shame that sexual misconduct can’t be separated from politics. Elected officials immediately look for a way to make it an us-versus-them issue instead of actually doing something about sexual abuse in politics.

It’s clear that this is happening at all levels of power, down to the local government. Recently, a school board member in Washington County, Tennessee, was censured after putting an arm around a high school student and remarking, “God, you’re hot.”

Sexual harassment and abuse proliferate at all levels of government, and it is condemnable no matter where. Women deserve to live in a country where they do not have to keep having this same conversation over and over again. It feels as though nothing has changed in the time since #MeToo. The circumstances remain the same.

Follow USA TODAY columnist Sara Pequeño on Bluesky: @sarapequeno.bsky.social

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