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Here are all the times Joe Biden has been accused of acting inappropriately toward women and girls

Former Vice President Joe Biden is the 2020 Democratic presidential frontrunner, but he's faced some headwinds when it comes to his conduct toward women.

Newly commissioned officer Erin Talbot, left, poses for a photograph with Vice President Joe Biden during commencement for the United States Coast Guard Academy in 2013.
  • Eight women have alleged that Biden either touched them inappropriately or violated their personal space in ways that made them uncomfortable.
  • Biden has also been criticized for repeatedly commenting on the physical appearance of women on the campaign trail, and for refusing to explicitly apologize for his behavior.
  • Scroll down for a list of the allegations against Biden, as well as the encounters he's had with girls while campaigning.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .
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In recent months, former Vice President Joe Biden has faced scrutiny over his interactions with women , as well as his refusal to apologize for his controversial behavior.

Eight women have accused Biden of touching them inappropriately or invading their personal space in ways that made them feel uncomfortable. None of them said Biden's behavior amounted to sexual harassment or assault.

Biden released a two-minute video after the initial allegations came out, but he was criticized for giving what critics deemed a "non-apology apology," in which he said he would try to do better moving forward. He later said he's "not sorry for anything that I've ever done."

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The Delaware Democrat was further criticized for repeatedly making light of the allegations, and for commenting on the physical appearance of young girls he's met on the 2020 campaign trail in recent weeks.

Biden's defenders on both the left and the right say he didn't mean to offend anyone with his actions and that he prefers connecting with people on a personal level. But others say Biden's apparent unwillingness to change his ways is evidence that he doesn't understand how his actions have impacted people.

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Screenshot/American Law Journal

Coll initially brushed off the incident, but she told The Post that reflecting on it now, she believes Biden's actions were inappropriate.

"There's been a lack of understanding about the way that power can turn something that might seem innocuous into something that can make somebody feel uncomfortable," Coll told The Post in April.

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Paul Elias/AP Images

Karasek was one of dozens of sexual-assault survivors who stood on stage while Lady Gaga performed, "Til It Happens To You," which deals with rape and sexual assault.

The photograph of her and Biden went viral, but Karasek told The Washington Post that she felt the former vice president encroached on her personal space.

She also said she didn't think Biden's two-minute apology video adequately addressed the allegations against him. Biden never explicitly apologized for his actions, and Karasek said he "didn't take ownership in the way that he needs to."

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"He emphasized that he wants to connect with people and, of course, that's important," she said. "But again, all of our interactions and friendships are a two-way street Too often it doesn't matter how the woman feels about it or they just assume that they're fine with it."

Screenshot/WTNH News 8

Lappos, a small business owner and Democratic political activist, said the interaction with Biden occurred at a Greenwich, Connecticut fundraiser for Democratic Rep. Jim Himes in 2009.

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Associated Press

"It doesn't even really cross your mind that such a person would dare perpetuate harm like that," she told The Times . "These are supposed to be people you can trust."

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Screenshot/CBSN

"Only he knows his intent," she told The Times."If something makes you feel uncomfortable, you have to feel able to say it."

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Screenshot/YouTube

Reade also told The Union that when she refused to serve the drinks, her work responsibilities were reduced. Reade alleges that she told Senate staffers about what happened, and Biden's office found out. Two months later, she left her job.

Reade said the way she was treated made her feel like a piece of ornamental furniture.

"It's pretty. Set it over there," she said. "Then when it's too bright, you throw it away."

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Reuters

She told The Post she was "so shocked" by the encounter that "it was hard to focus on what he was saying."

Kohnert-Yount said she wouldn't classify Biden's actions as sexual misconduct, but added that it's "the kind of inappropriate behavior that makes many women feel uncomfortable and unequal in the workplace."

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Screenshot/ Wochit Politics

The girl's teacher and mother defended Biden, but progressive critics argued the comments were further evidence of the candidate's pernicious, if unintentional, sexism.

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SAUL LOEB/Getty Images

The Boston Globe reported that the interaction occurred when Biden met a voter at a coffee shop before a campaign event in Iowa.

When Biden met the voter's granddaughter, he asked her age. After she replied that she was 13 years old, Biden turned to her brothers and said, "You've got one job here, keep the guys away from your sister."

See Also:

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SEE ALSO: Joe Biden probably wont stop making comments some people find sexist, but it wont necessarily hurt his campaign

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