Scripps professor Vanessa C. Tyson alleged in 2019 that she was sexually assaulted by Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax in 2004 and had approached Scott, a long-time friend, about these allegations between the time of Fairfax's election in November 2017 and inauguration in January 2018; Scott was also contacted about the allegations by "The Washington Post". In a 2019 statement, Scott said, "Allegations of sexual assault need to be taken seriously. I have known Professor Tyson for approximately a decade and she is a friend. She deserves the opportunity to have her story heard."