WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21), Chair of the Democratic Women’s Working Group (DWWG), issued the following statement in support of the bipartisan PRIVATE Act, which makes it illegal for military members to share explicit photos without consent. The PRIVATE Act passed the House this afternoon.

“As the proud mother of a United States Marine veteran, I understand first-hand the selfless sacrifice a Marine makes when he or she puts on their uniform. To those female warriors whose honor was violated by the shameful sharing of explicit photos on the Marines United Facebook page, we stand with you. We will seek to punish those who offended your privacy and prevent similar conduct in the future because that conduct is not only degrading to our brave patriots; it threatens the safety and security of our nation.”
 
WATCH Rep Frankel speak about the PRIVATE Act on the House floor.

The PRIVATE Act comes on the heels of a recent DWWG bipartisan hearing regarding the Marines United Facebook page, where male Marines posted hundreds of nude photos of female service members and veterans without their consent. At the hearing, Members of Congress heard testimony from two courageous female Marines whose privacy was violated with the non-consensual posting of intimate photos. They described their embarrassment and anger at the vitriolic harassment by their Marine brothers that followed with threats of rape and violence.

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