Christine Blasey Ford donates GoFundMe money to sexual assault survivors
‘Although coming forward was terrifying, and caused disruption to our lives, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to fulfil my civic duty’
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Christine Blasey Ford has announced plans to donate any remaining money from her GoFundMe page to sexual assault survivors.
The fundraising page was first set up in September in order to provide support and security for Dr Ford and her family following the allegation of sexual assault that she made against Brett Kavanaugh.
On 28 September, a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing took place in which Kavanaugh denied claims made by Dr Ford that he’d sexually assaulted her at a party in 1982, when she was 15 and he was 17 years old.
The GoFundMe page was launched on September 18, two days after Dr Ford went public with her claims.
Dr Ford last released a statement on the page on 3 October, expressing her gratitude to all who had contributed towards the $150,000 (£117,666) target.
In her latest statement on the page, the psychology professor explained that the fundraising page would now be closed.
Having raised nearly $650,000 (£509,931), more than four times the original goal, Dr Ford has decided to donate any money that isn’t used by her and her family to organisations supporting individuals who’ve endured traumatic experiences.
“All funds unused after completion of security expenditures will be donated to organisations that support trauma survivors,” she writes.
“I am currently researching organisations where the funds can best be used.
“We will use this space to let you know when that process is complete.”
Over the past two months, almost 14,000 people have left donations on the GoFundMe page.
The money has enabled Dr Ford and her family to afford greater levels of security for their home and helped them pay for housing costs when they had to relocate temporarily.
After Dr Ford's allegations against Kavanaugh were made public, her email was hacked and threats made towards her and her family forced them to move out of their home, her attorneys explained.
“Although coming forward was terrifying, and caused disruption to our lives, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to fulfil my civic duty,” Dr Ford writes on the GoFundMe page.
“Having done so, I am in awe of the many women and men who have written me to share similar life experiences, and now have bravely shared their experience with friends and family, many for the first time.
“I send you my heartfelt love and support."
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