Republican representative vrom South Carolina, made shocking statements on Monday in the House of Representatives, accusing her ex-fiancé Patrick Bryant and three business partners of committing “depraved” sexual crimes against her and at least a dozen other women, including minors.
The accusations include rape, voyeurism, and other sexual abuses, which Mace exposed after discovering over 10,000 videos and photographs on Bryant’s phone.
Disturbing details of the crimes
Mace described how she accidentally came across “the most heinous crimes against women,” revealing the horror of non-consensual videos and the deliberate exploitation of women and girls in her district.
“Today you will hear about the depraved men who are behind these cowardly and evil acts,” declared Mace, emphasizing the seriousness of the actions he suffered and witnessed.
The congresswoman recounted that, in a devastating moment, she had to inform a woman that she had been raped without her knowledge, after finding a video of the sexual assault carried out by a business partner of Bryant. “She was incapacitated at the time of the rape... She knew she had been raped because I accidentally found the video of her being raped,” Mace said.
Allegations of intimidation and lack of action by the attorney general
Mace alleged that a business partner of Bryant tried to intimidate her to silence her and that the Attorney General of South Carolina, Alan Wilson, did not take action in response to her complaints about the intimidation.
Despite Mace presenting evidence and accusations in November 2023, she maintains that an excessive amount of time passed before an investigation was initiated.
Wilson’s office has described Mace’s statements as “categorically false” and “politically motivated.”
Bryant has denied all accusations in a statement to the New York Times, stating: “I categorically deny these accusations. I take this matter very seriously and will fully cooperate with any legal process necessary to clear my name.”
A call for the protection of the victims
Mace continued to emphasize that her story is not about personal grudges, but about the systematic stalking of predators who hunt women. With a strong speech, she challenged Wilson and the judicial system, stating that she was willing to face the consequences for protecting women. “If someone wants to arrest me for defending women, here are my wrists. Arrest me,” she threatened.
This moving and chilling exhibition by Mace highlights the need for greater protection and attention to victims of sexual crimes, as well as the importance of authorities acting urgently and responsibly in response to such reports.