• Arizona congressional candidate Bernadette Greene-Placentia reports being raped while repairing campaign signs.
• The alleged assault occurred in Sun City, Arizona, on August 14.
• Greene-Placentia did not report the assault to police until two weeks later.
• Her Republican opponent has called for a thorough investigation into the allegations.
• Greene-Placentia emphasized the need to speak out for victims of sexual assault.

Bernadette Greene-Placentia, a Democrat running for Congress in Arizona's 8th Congressional District, has alleged that she was raped on August 14 while repairing campaign signs late at night. She recounted that she was struck in the head and subsequently lost consciousness, only to wake up to find herself being held down and sexually assaulted by two men, as reported by BBC and Los Angeles Times.

After the incident, Greene-Placentia stated that she felt a deep sense of embarrassment and shock that hindered her ability to report the assault immediately. It was only two weeks later that she filed a report with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, as noted by CBS News and Los Angeles Times.

Throughout the campaign, Greene-Placentia has been vocal about advocating for victims of sexual assault. She articulated that she felt compelled to share her experience as a means of supporting others who struggle to come forward, stating, "I knew that I had been knocked out," according to the Associated Press, which cited her sentiment regarding the attack. Greene-Placentia added that her experience has given her greater empathy toward survivors of such violence, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness around these issues, according to BBC, Los Angeles Times, and CBS News.

Her opponent, incumbent Republican Rep. Abe Hamadeh, has called for a thorough investigation into the matter, urging authorities to "investigate these serious allegations thoroughly, including finding all possible camera footage of the time and place," reflecting the high stakes of her allegations in the context of the upcoming election, according to BBC and CBS News.