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As the female professor who has accused US Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault gave her testimony, women across the US reacted on social media.

Many who support Christine Blasey Ford, speaking publicly for the first time, drew attention to what they saw as a historic moment for women's rights.

But those who back Kavanaugh wrote that Ford was acting throughout her testimony, and suggested her accusation was part of a Democratic plot to derail the judge's confirmation to the Senate.

Read more about women's reactions to the Kavanaugh hearings here.

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Ford has been questioned by 21 senators (Grassley ceded the time allotted to all 11 Republicans to Rachel Mitchell, who asked questions on their behalf).

She has now left the committee room and the hearing is adjourned for 45 minutes. Grassley thanked Ford for her bravery and testimony.

Judge Kavanaugh testifies next.

"I thought she did just fine," says senior Republican Senator John Cornyn.

"We obviously are interested in getting to the truth here, and unfortunately this is a hyper-politicised," venue, he adds.

Ford is asked why three witnesses, including her girlfriend Leland, have issued statements saying they do not recall the party where the alleged abuse occurred.

"Leland has significant health challenges and I'm happy that she's focusing on herself and getting the health treatment that she needs."

"She texted me right after [the statement was issued] with an apology and good wishes."

She says she is not surprised that two boys she says were present cannot recall the occasions because "it was a very unremarkable party," unlike other more "notorious" parties that the boys were known for.

She says that she thinks that Mark Judge would recall that night's events. He has not been called to testify before the committee.

Protests continue on Capitol Hill in Washington as Ford testifies, the BBC's Mat Morrison reports.

Senator Kamala Harris, a California Democrat tipped as a presidential contender, lavishes praise on Ford.

"You have bravely come forward. You have bravely come forward and I thank you because you clearly have nothing to gain," says Harris.

"History will show that you are a true profile in courage at this moment in time in the history of our country and I thank you."

During the lunch break, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham urged Republicans to ignore Ford's testimony and confirm Kavanaugh.

Twitter users were quick to condemn him for reportedly dismissing a woman who said she was a victim of sexual assault, as he walked back into the hearing.

The woman quickly spoke out on Twitter.

Senator Kamala Harris begins by telling Ford: "I believe you."

"You remember key, searing details of what happened to you. You told your husband and therapist, and you told them years ago about this assault."

Harris, an experienced sexual assault prosecutor, says "study after study shows, trauma, shame, and the fear of consequences almost always cause survivors to - at the very least - delay reporting, if they ever report at all."

"Police recognise that, prosecutors recognise that, medical and mental health professionals recognise that."

It's not just Democrats - some viewers have criticised the use of a prosecutor to question Ford.

Here's our very own Anthony Zurcher on the issue:

"During freshman and sophomore year...there were four to five parties that my friends and I attended that were attended also by him [Kavanaugh]," Ford says.

Prosecutor Mitchell asks whether there was any sexually inappropriate behaviour at those other gatherings.

Ford says no. "There was no sexual assault at any of those events, is that what you're asking? Yes, those were just parties."

This is pertinent because another accuser, Julie Swetnick, came forward on Wednesday to allege that Kavanaugh was involved in sexually abusive behaviour towards women at other parties in the same time period. He denies that, too.

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"We are not being paid," Ford's lawyer said.

"We have no expectation of being paid."

Ford also said other members of her community in Palo Alto, California, have halped with the fees involved in the process.

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Ford appears emotional as Senator Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat with presidential ambitions, praises her.

He says he has been receiving notes from viewers of the hearing who are "in tears, feeling pain and anguish, not just feeling your pain but feeling their own".

"You are speaking truth that this country needs to understand,” he says.

"And how we deal with survivors who come forward right now is unacceptable.

"And the way we deal with this unfortunately allows for the continued darkness of this culture to exist.

"And your brilliance, shining a light onto this, speaking your truth, is nothing short of heroic."

Booker also points out the witness is not on trial, in an apparent dig at Republicans' use of a prosecutor to question Ford.

"Did someone at your behest, on your behalf, speak to someone in Congress?" asks the prosecutor.

"I'm not sure. I'm not sure how those exchanges went, but I didn't speak to anyone," says Ford.

"Is it possible that somebody did?" Mitchell continues.

"I'm guessing it would be possible, but I don't know," Ford says.

A lawyer for Ford interrupts to address the prosecutor.

"You've asked her not to guess, and now you're asking her what's possible. So I think if you want to ask her what she knows, you should ask her what she knows."

The BBC's Jessica Lussenhop spoke to a legal analyst about the Republicans' prosecutor.

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Amy Klobuchar: This Minnesota Democrat is up for reelection this year and is actively considering a 2020 run for the presidency. She has been tough on Republicans for not directly questioning Kavanaugh or Ford themselves.

She told CBS: "This is 11 men trying not to look angry by having a woman do their work."

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Ben Sasse: A Nebraska Republican who has been critical of Trump and is seen as a possible Republican presidential candidate for 2020 or later.

Sasse has said little about the allegations against Kavanaugh but has previously been very supportive of the Supreme Court pick.

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Kamala Harris: The California Democrat is a top contender for 2020 presidential race. She first made headlines last year during ex-FBI Director James Comey's hearing.

She's defended Ford in US media, telling CBS: "It's going to be about listening to what each party has to say, but I believe her."

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Cory Booker: The New Jersey Democrat has stated he's actively looking at running for president in 2020.

He's pushed Republicans hard during the Kavanaugh proceedings, notably telling his colleagues to "bring it" when they threatened formal action.

"Do you expect the price of the polygraph to be passed onto you?" prosecutor Mitchell asks.

"I'm not sure yet," Ford says. "I haven't taken a look at all of the costs involved in this."

"We've relocated now twice," Ford says, adding she has "a lot of paperwork to catch up on later".

Mitchell asks if Ford plans to bear the full cost herself or if anyone has offered to assist her.

Ford says several online fundraisers have been set up for her, but that she's unsure of how to collect the money.

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Ford says she first tried to raise the allegation before Kavanaugh was chosen as a Supreme Court nominee.

Senator Mazie Hirono, a Hawaii Democrat who has been an outspoken champion of Ford, asks the witness directly if she has any "political motivation".

"No," says Ford. "And I'd like to reiterate again, I was trying to get the information to you while there were still other what looked like equally qualified candidates."

President Trump nominated Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court on 9 July.