Martha McSally
Newly introduced legislation from U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) proposes giving the military the tools it needs to prevent and protect service members from the nonconsensual sharing of intimate visual images.
The phrase ‘intimate visual image,’ according to text of the bill, means a photograph, video, film or recording made by any means that depicts a private area of a person. McSally’s bill would amend the Uniform Code of Military Justice to prohibit the wrongful broadcast or distribution of such images.
Specifically, the Protecting the Rights of IndiViduals Against Technological Exploitation Act, or the PRIVATE Act, would define when private photo sharing is a military criminal act, something that McSally said isn’t clear in the current law. Not only does the proposed bill rein in the perpetrators and prevent such future actions, it also would protect whistleblowers, the congresswoman said.
“Sharing explicit photos of fellow service members undermines women, destroys trust and morale, decreases the effectiveness of our armed forces, and embarrasses America. United States troops must be warriors that embody courage, commitment, and honor—on and off duty,” McSally said April 6 when she introduced the PRIVATE Act.
McSally, the first female to fly in combat and lead a squadron, wants the military to clean up this problem and called such degrading behavior from troops in uniform “disgusting, infuriating and intolerable.”
U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) and other members of the House Armed Services Committee have already cosponsored the bill.
McSally’s bill follows reports in March that individuals linked with the private Facebook group “Marines United” were posting nude photos of women as well as personal information without their knowledge. The Marine Corps, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the FBI, and other entities have launched investigations into the scandal.