McSally bill to crack down on non-consensual image sharing in military unanimously approved

The House unanimously approved legislation on Wednesday that U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) introduced to clarify that sharing non-consensual pornography is a criminal act in the military.

McSally introduced the Protecting the Rights of Individuals Against Technological Exploitation (PRIVATE) Act, H.R. 2052, in response to revelations in March that nude photos of female service members and personal information, such as names and duty stations, had been posted in a private “Marines United” Facebook group.

H.R. 2052 would amend Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to clarify that sharing private media without consent can be prosecuted as a criminal act based on the intent of those sharing it. The measure was approved with support from U.S. Reps. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Mike Coffman (R-CO) and Don Bacon (R-NE), who all applauded McSally’s leadership.

“As the only female Republican veteran in the House of Representatives — the first woman in the U.S. to fly in combat and to lead a squadron — I have personally experienced, confronted and overcome sexist behavior in the military,” McSally said.

“Our service members should not have to watch their backs among the individuals who are supposed to be their teammates. The military needs to clean this up. By strengthening and modernizing the UCMJ, this bill enables the military to hold perpetrators accountable, and I am thankful the House has joined me in taking such swift action,” she said.

Thornberry, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said he continues to be disturbed by the “deplorable acts” that have degraded service members.

“I am encouraged, however, that the House took swift and significant action to begin addressing the issue by strengthening the UCMJ to ensure that personnel are protected and that perpetrators are held appropriately accountable,” Thornberry said.

Speaking in support of the legislation, Coffman, a combat veteran and the chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, said he found it “abhorrent” that service members had compromised unit cohesiveness by sharing non-consensual explicit images of fellow service members.

“The PRIVATE Act seeks increased protection for members who are victimized by other service members,” Coffman said. “I strongly support this bill and thank Rep. McSally for her work on this important issue.”

Bacon, an original cosponsor of the bill, said the House had demonstrated support for service members in its unanimous passage of McSally’s bill.

“… The PRIVATE Act, which increases protections for our nation’s heroes who are victimized by their fellow service members through acts known as ‘revenge porn,’” Bacon said. “As a nearly 30-veteran of the U.S. Air Force including service as a commander, I can tell you that this will enable other commanders the ability to clearly and efficiently discipline members of the military who engage in this shameful and demoralizing act.”