Female Marines United (version 2)
***This is an updated fundraiser page created as a follow up to the previous campaign which you can see here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/femalemarinesunited
The change was due to GoFundMe moving to a new system for processing donations starting on September 30th, 2020 which meant that previous active fundraisers were no longer able to accept donations.
For continuity, the fundraiser description will be copied and pasted below. The money raised in this follow up campaign will be in addition to the $26,750 previously raised in the initial campaign working toward and $30,000 goal.
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My name is Justine Davie and I'm currently a Major in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and an Afghanistan veteran. I started this fundraiser to stand up for women who have been impacted by military sexual assault.
Please join me in raising money for Headstrong Project, a nonprofit organization in partnership with Weill Cornell Medicine, that provides free comprehensive mental health care treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and related military trauma for military veterans.
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On March 4th, 2017 -- Marine Corps Purple Heart recipient and journalist Thomas James Brennan exposed Marines United, a private Facebook group with 30,000 members who used the page to solicit and share over hundreds of nude photographs of female Marines and women of other military services which include both officers and enlisted service members. Following the story, Brennan received several threats on his life and the well-being of his wife and daughter.
In addition to more than 2,500 derogatory comments related to sexual assault and rape, the page also identified women by their full name, rank, and where they were stationed. This led to widespread harassment both online and offline, including one woman who was followed and photographed at Camp Lejeune without her acknowledgement.
Membership was limited to male Marines, Navy Corpsmen, and British Royal Marines, who used a private Google Drive created by a Marine veteran to host and distribute the photos. Social media accounts behind the page were deleted by Facebook and Google at the request of the Marine Corps, and a formal investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service was launched.
Many women eventually came out and identified themselves as victims of Marines United or similar treatment online, but many were too concerned that revealing themselves would lead to further harassment.
The conduct of members of the group violated their own code of conduct as well as Facebook's terms of use of not posting threats, harassment, or racist or illegal posts. The military does not condone this behavior and active duty servicemembers could potentially be charged with violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
But more can be done to stand up against this injustice and to support women who volunteered to serve their country and have been victimized. Online harassment like this isn't new, but there have been many instances when women have felt that they couldn't stand up and remained silent.
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In response to Marines United and its 30,000 members, with the Female Marines United campaign we can show that there are more people out there who support women in the armed forces, and demand respect for all women who have met the standards asked of them in service of their country.
By asking a minimum $5 per supporter, we hope that women who have dealt with online harassment, sexism, or have felt marginalized, to know that they are not alone. And that there are more men, women, and organizations who support the military, but condemn Marines United and other platforms that have dehumanized women in service. By donating more, you show the depth of your support to our cause and your opposition to the conduct of Marines United.
Donations will go to Headstrong, an organization that has been of great service to women in the military and veterans who continue to struggle with mental health issues.
We ask that instead of donating as an "anonymous donor", that if you are willing, you proudly include your name and your connection to the military as a way to stand up to those who remain anonymous in their hateful actions.
That way we will show the true scope and diversity of supporters and organizations that proudly stand by these women and others who have been victimized by online bullying, sexual assault, and harassment.
Thank you for your support, your service, and helping us continue to serve.
This campaign is not officially endorsed or sponsored by the United States Marine Corps.
This campaign was previous featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Newsweek, Vox, and Marine Corps Times
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Headstrong, founded in 2012 by a combat veteran, provides confidential, cost-free, and frictionless mental health care treatment for post-9/11 veterans that works. In partnership with Weill Cornell Medical College, one of the Nation’s leading mental health care centers, Headstrong developed an effective, individually tailored and comprehensive treatment program for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Addiction Treatment; Anxiety & Depression; Trauma, Grief and Loss; and Anger Management, and Military Sexual Trauma. Headstrong currently serves the New York Metro area, San Diego and Riverside County, Houston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., with plans to expand to Colorado and Washington. To learn more, please visit www.getheadstrong.org
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