Christine Blasey Ford Reveals the Threats She's Faced Since Testifying Against Brett Kavanaugh
It’s hard to believe it’s only been two months since the contentious Senate confirmation hearings for now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. But for Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who testified about her alleged sexual assault by Kavanaugh as a teenager, those two months have likely felt like a lifetime.
In early October, Blasey Ford said she and her family had already been forced to move four times due to ongoing threats. And last week (per The Cut), she updated supporters via a message on a GoFundMe page set up to help defray costs incurred because of her testimony and the ensuing security concerns.
“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,” Blasey Ford wrote. “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.” She goes on to call the donations a “godsend” that have allowed her family to beef up security in light of “to protect ourselves against frightening threats.” Those security measures include physical protection, added features to their home, and housing while they were displaced.
The GoFundMe has raised almost $650,000—but now Blasey Ford is closing it to donations. “With immense gratitude, I am closing this account to further contributions,” she says. “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.”
Even with all that has come with it, Blasey Ford is steadfast in her belief that she needed to do her civic duty in coming forward about Kavanaugh. (He has always vehemently denied the allegations.)
“Although coming forward was terrifying, and caused disruption to our lives, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to fulfill my civic duty,” she concludes. “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.”