Some of the women accusing Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-N.Y., of sexual harassment are being targeted online.
The Journal News reported the women essentially are being called liars and blamed for the alleged harassment.
The newspaper said Lindsey Boylan, Cuomo’s former deputy secretary of economic development and special adviser, has faced an onslaught online. It noted she has been labeled a liar and an opportunist on her Twitter page.
In turn, Boylan has had to defend herself.
"Please understand, I am OK and I will be OK," she tweeted Sunday. "But these online trolls are being seen by other survivors. Not all survivors have the privilege of a platform I do. Not all survivors have the support system I do."
She added: "The hate of survivors and misogyny needs to stop."
Boylan has accused Cuomo of giving her an unwanted kiss, inviting her to play strip poker on a taxpayer-funded flight, and other abuse that led her to quit her job.
The Washington Post reported Saturday that a former press aide, Karen Hinton, said that in 2000 Cuomo embraced her in a hotel room after a work event. At the time, Cuomo was federal housing secretary under then-President Bill Clinton.
On Sunday, Hinton tweeted: "I am not running for office in NY or New Orleans. I am not working for anybody who has a plan to run against Andrew. I’m a 62 yr old woman with no job because of my accident. I worked for Mayor to help him, not be disloyal to Andrew. It’s always, always, always about Andrew."
Charlotte Bennett, 25, a former executive assistant to Cuomo, said she believes she was being "groomed" for sex. Bennett claims Cuomo asked her inappropriate questions about her sex life, including whether she had ever had sex with older men.
She maintained said she will not be discouraged by negative comments.
"In coming forward I fully expected to be attacked by those who reflexively question the honesty or motivation of those who report sexual harassment," Bennett said. "I am not deterred by these voices."
And she added: "Instead, I have focused on the overwhelming love and support I have received from friends and strangers alike."
The Journal News, pointing to a study from the National Women’s Law Center, said more than 70% of people who report sexual harassment are targeted for some form of retaliation, including termination and lawsuits for defamation.
Laura Palumbo, of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, said the more victim-difficulties survivors face in coming forward and being believed, the more it is that people who commit harassment and abuse will continue their efforts.
"What we know is that (victim-blaming) ... is incredibly silencing, not only for those individuals who have come forward to report their experiences of sexual harassment and assault, but for everyone who is listening, watching, observing how they’re being treated – and seeing the vitriol and victim-blaming comments that they are being targeted with," she said.