March 06, 2017

Ranking Member Tim Walz Statement on Marine Corps Photo Sharing Reports

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN) released the following statement on reports that an unknown number of current and former Marines posted explicit photographs of female service members and veterans online:

“I am appalled by the actions allegedly carried out by some current and former members of the Marine Corps community who shared and commented on photos of their sisters-in-arms,” Rep. Walz said. “Despicable behavior like this normalizes sexual violence, harassment, and exploitation, and not only has absolutely no place among the ranks of the U.S. Armed Forces - it has absolutely no place in our society. We must do more to root out and eliminate all forms of sexual violence and harassment in our military communities while holding perpetrators accountable so that similar attacks against our brave servicemen and women are prevented in the future. Behavior like this doesn’t just ignore the sacrifices these women have made to our great nation - it undermines the trust and respect that is essential to the success of our military, and we cannot allow it to continue.”

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