"Time's Up" has raised more than $22 million for victims, making it GoFundMe's biggest campaign ever.
But crowdfunding has also highlighted the financial toll rape and sexual harassment can take — and many fundraisers are not nearly as successful. buzzfeednews.com/article/jtes/g…
But crowdfunding has also highlighted the financial toll rape and sexual harassment can take — and many fundraisers are not nearly as successful. buzzfeednews.com/article/jtes/g…
A search for “rape” on GoFundMe yields about 4,000 campaigns, while “sexual harassment” turns up nearly 500.
Many fundraisers have been created by the victims themselves, or in their names by loved ones.
Many fundraisers have been created by the victims themselves, or in their names by loved ones.
Most famously, a campaign for Christine Blasey Ford raised $647,610 to help cover her family’s security, transportation, and temporary relocation costs — far more than the $150,000 goal, with leftover funds being donated to organizations helping survivors. buzzfeednews.com/article/remysm…
But Ford is not the norm, and other efforts give a glimpse into the private aftermath of sexual assault.
One seeks funds for a woman’s abortion after her rape. Another woman asks for help with her phone bill, explaining she was diagnosed with PTSD and out of work after her rape.
One seeks funds for a woman’s abortion after her rape. Another woman asks for help with her phone bill, explaining she was diagnosed with PTSD and out of work after her rape.
Alex McCall, a contractor who reported being sexually assaulted by a colleague during a work break, wasn’t as fortunate. She contacted the National Women’s Law Center, which administers the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, but eventually had to hire a lawyer with a $2,000 retainer. 
When crowdfunding is successful, the money can become a symbol of community solidarity and reassurance, even validation.
“When it’s not successful,” explained another GoFundMe campaigner, Monica Morrison, “we can feel abandoned and isolated.”
“When it’s not successful,” explained another GoFundMe campaigner, Monica Morrison, “we can feel abandoned and isolated.”
“What is daunting for me is the looming prospect of ongoing litigation, which could be exponentially expensive,” Morrison said. “But this is the hill I’m willing to die on. I’m not going to be silent any longer.” buzzfeednews.com/article/jtes/g…
