It’s been a difficult couple of months for Christine Blasey Ford. Her life was upended when she came forward to say Brett Kavanaugh assaulted her. While Kavanaugh was celebrating his appointment to the Supreme Court, Ford was forced to go into hiding and subjected to harassment and death threats from people who either didn’t believe her story or didn’t care. Donald Trump himself called her story “a hoax.” That certainly wasn’t the general consensus though. Most people believed Blasey Ford’s story and applauded her for testifying on Capitol Hill. As Dan Rather said, “Whatever you think of the story, it takes guts to do that. It is — it is a very brave thing for her to do.”
As a result of Ford’s brave move, she has had to spend a lot of money on security for her and her family. Her neighbors and colleagues started a GoFundMe page to raise money to help pay for that security. The goal was to raise $150,000. That was far exceeded as almost $650,000 was raised. Now Blasey Ford is doing another selfless act, donating extra money raised to a cause near and dear to her. She explained her decision as she announced the page would no longer be accepting donations. Here is her statement in full:
Words are not adequate to thank all of you who supported me since I came forward to tell the Senate that I had been sexually assaulted by Brett Kavanaugh. Your tremendous outpouring of support and kind letters have made it possible for us to cope with the immeasurable stress, particularly the disruption to our safety and privacy. Because of your support, I feel hopeful that our lives will return to normal.
The funds you have sent through GoFundMe have been a godsend. Your donations have allowed us to take reasonable steps to protect ourselves against frightening threats, including physical protection and security for me and my family, and to enhance the security for our home. We used your generous contributions to pay for a security service, which began on September 19 and has recently begun to taper off; a home security system; housing and security costs incurred in Washington DC, and local housing for part of the time we have been displaced. Part of the time we have been able to stay with our security team in a residence generously loaned to us.
With immense gratitude, I am closing this account to further contributions. All funds unused after completion of security expenditures will be donated to organizations that support trauma survivors. I am currently researching organizations where the funds can best be used. We will use this space to let you know when that process is complete.
Although coming forward was terrifying, and caused disruption to our lives, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to fulfill my civic duty. 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.
I wish I could thank each and every one of you individually. Thank you.
Christine