Christine Blasey Ford is donating contributions from GoFundMe to trauma victims after fundraiser reaches $650,000
Christine Blasey Ford’s life has been upended since she came forward with sexual assault allegations against then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Since Ford gave her emotional and powerful testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 27, she has received “frightening threats” that prompted her to increase the security around herself and her family.
In a new message posted to a GoFundMe page started to provide financial support for the Stanford professor, Ford details how she has sought “physical protection and security for me and my family, and to enhance the security for our home.” Calling the donations from supporters “a godsend,” Ford says she has used some of the funds to hire a security service starting on Sept. 19, to install a new home security system, and to cover mounting costs incurred during her stay in Washington, D.C., as well as when her family was temporarily displaced and in hiding as news broke around the allegations.
Recently, Ford says, her need for security has “tapered off” so she has decided to close the GoFundMe account. “All funds unused after completion of security expenditures will be donated to organizations that support trauma survivors,” Ford announced. “I am currently researching organizations where the funds can best be used.”
The fundraiser, created by “Team Christine Blasey Ford” on behalf of the Ford family shortly after Ford first made her accusations public, is closing with more than $647,000 — well over the original $150,000 goal.
“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,” Ford added. “Because of your support, I feel hopeful that our lives will return to normal.”
“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 wrote on Nov. 21. “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.”
