The #metoo movement has brought awareness and attention to the pervasive epidemic of sexual abuse, but the historic trend of a survivor being harassed and threatened for coming forward to report remains a devastating consequence that inspires many victims to remain silent years after the abuse.
"Dr. Blasey, who has two teenagers, has moved out of her house, is arranging for private security for herself and her family, and is effectively in hiding, the person said." https://t.co/q6D7JxwH6o
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) September 18, 2018
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford is now reportedly in hiding with her teenaged children after receiving death threats and harassment for daring to speak out against the Trump-nominated SCOTUS pick, Brett Kavanaugh, during his confirmation hearings. She has alleged that Kavanaugh attempted to rape her at a party when she was 15 and he was 17.
According to The New York Times:
‘In the letter to the Judiciary Committee, Dr. Blasey’s lawyers said that she has been the target of “vicious harassment and even death threats” since her name was made public on Sunday in an interview published in The Washington Post. Her email has been hacked, she has been impersonated online and she and her family have been forced to relocate out of their home, according to the lawyers, Ms. Banks and her partner, Debra S. Katz.’
I have started a GoFundMe to raise money to cover Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s security costs. https://t.co/1AW1SQxYOi
I would like to have one or more “teammates” with Facebook accounts to help spread the word. Pls DM me if you are willing to play this role.— Heidi Li Feldman (@HeidiLiFeldman) September 18, 2018
One law professor from Georgetown University, Dr. Heidi Feldman, decided to start a fundraiser using the website gofundme.com to cover the costs of Dr. Blasey’s and her family’s security needs. On the fundraising website, Feldman writes:
‘Due to death threats, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford (who uses “Dr. Blasey” professionally) and her family have had to leave their residence and arrange for private security. Let’s create a fund to cover her security expenses, to do just a bit to make it easier for women in her position to come forward despite great risks. If we raise more than Dr. Blasey needs, extra funds will go to women’s organizations and/or into an account to cover similar costs incurred in comparable situations.
‘I do not know Dr. Blasey personally but will contact her via her former high school, Holton Arms, to inform her of this fundraising appeal and to make arrangements to transfer funds to Dr. Blasey.
‘I am a professor of law at Georgetown University who has raised money formally and informally for other causes over the years. My reason for starting this fundraiser is to make concrete the power of collective action in providing security, and therefore support, for Dr. Blasey’s willingness to contribute to a thorough, fair vetting of a nominee for Supreme Court Justice.’
https://twitter.com/jaybookmanajc/status/1042386834284789760
As of 4:18 PM EST, the fundraiser has well exceeded it’s $100,000 goal to amass donations totaling $121,007.
Christine Blasey Ford is receiving death threats, reminding the world that women are often afraid to speak up about sexual assault, for fear of retaliation.
We must change the culture that punishes women for coming forward rather than listening to them. https://t.co/Uz0mwGMqxk
— ACLU (@ACLU) September 19, 2018
Featured image screenshot via YouTube
