A woman whose nude video and personal photos was circulated without consent in a secret Facebook group created by an all-male group of active-duty and veteran Marines still plans to enlist, The New York Times reported.
"Someone needs to stand up and say this does not represent the values of the Marine Corps," she said. "If not me, then who? Yes, for a long time it was a boys' club, but there needs to be progress."
Savannah Cunningham, 19, begins basic training the first week of April. The Arizona-native is one of many women enveloped in the Marine photo scandal, which is now being investigated by the U.S. Department of Defense. Her personal images taken from her Instagram account and a nude video initially obtained by her boyfriend were posted on Facebook, leading to harassment via lewd messages online and obscene comments in the group.
Marines United is an invitation-only Facebook group made up of more than 30,000 Marines. Some members built online files of Marine women without their knowledge or consent, listing their names, ranks, social media handles, and place of duty. They shared thousands of private and naked photos of the women, and vulgar comments ensued.
The distribution started after the first Marine infantry unit was assigned women in early January. The group's actions were reported by Marine veteran Thomas Brennan.
Cunningham has not been swayed by the experience and plans to forge ahead.
"We have to be positive examples of the change we want to see," she told the Times. "Courage, integrity, honor: I want to live those values."
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