Quigley Says “Time’s Up,” Invites Erin Walton, Executive Director of Rape Victim Advocates, to Join as State of the Union Guest

WASHINGTON – On January 30,U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (IL-05) will attend President Trump's State of the Union Address with his guest Erin Walton, a Chicago resident who serves as Executive Director of Rape Victim Advocates.

"During tomorrow's address, I will proudly be wearing black because when it comes to sexual harassment and assault: Time's Up," said Rep. Quigley. "This is more than a movement – we're in the midst of a transformative and overdue cultural reckoning. We commend the brave women who have come forward, shared their stories, and said ‘Me Too' because enough is enough. We must also pay tribute to the dedicated advocates, like Erin, who are working tirelessly to promote equality, justice, and safety for all people in all walks of life. It is my privilege to have Erin attend tomorrow's address as my guest, and I thank her for her passion to raise awareness, remove stigmas, and support survivors and their loved ones."

"I am honored to be Rep. Quigley's guest at the State of the Union and to be joined by activists from across the country to take a stand for survivors," said Erin Walton, Executive Director of Rape Victim Advocates. "We are united in this movement to end sexual violence, and I'm grateful for the support of Rep. Quigley in this fight."

Erin hopes that her presence at the State of the Union will highlight the "Me Too" and "Time's Up" efforts. Watch here.

Rape Victim Advocates (RVA) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the healing and empowerment of sexual assault survivors through non-judgmental crisis intervention counseling, individual and group trauma therapy, and medical and legal advocacy in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. RVA provides public education and institutional advocacy in order to improve the treatment of sexual assault survivors and to effect positive change in policies and public attitudes toward sexual assault.

Before being named Executive Director of RVA in April 2017, Erin served as the Development Director at Chicago Child Care Society (CCCS), a 168-year-old child welfare agency recognized for its work with vulnerable children and families. Erin also volunteers with Autism Speaks, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness and funding research into causes, prevention and cures for autism. Erin is a wife and a mother of 3 children.

In November, Rep. Quigley applauded passage of H.R. 630, a resolution requiring each Member, officer, and employee of the House of Representatives to complete a program of training in workplace rights and responsibilities each session of each Congress. Rep. Quigley has also cosponsored the ME TOO CONGRESS Act introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier.