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May 10, 2013

Facebook Removes Marines-Linked Page Featuring Rape Jokes About Female Soldiers 
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Facebook has removed a page containing rape jokes about female service
members after a member of Congress complained to the Pentagon. Pictures
on the page included a woman with a bruised face and the caption, "She
burned the bacon only once," and another with the text, "This is my rape
face." The U.S. Marines acknowledged in a statement: "Based on
complaints that have been received, both active-duty and reserve Marines
have been involved; all instances are referred to commands for
appropriate action." In a letter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and
Marine Corps General James Amos, Rep. Jackie Speier of California said
the page and others like it "contribute to a culture that permits and
seems to encourage sexual assault and abuse." A Pentagon report released
just this week estimated that 70 sexual assaults are committed each day
within the U.S. military.

 

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