Nude photos of many female US soldiers leaked

Senior US lawmakers have condemned the release of nude photos of female soldiers on social media and called for a serious investigation.

A US Marine stands guard at Parris Island base in South Carolina - Photo: Reuters

Critics say the release of the nude photos could spark a wave of sexual violence in the military, and have called for a full investigation by the US Marine Corps.

The US Navy Times has published a dossier containing internal communications related to the distribution of nude photos of a group of Marines.

The Times said a private Facebook group with about 30,000 members had been discussing nude photos of female soldiers indecently.

Some nude photos exchanged on this group even have the names, ranks and places of work of the female soldiers.

Congressman Mac Thornberry - Chairman of the US House Armed Services Committee and senior congressman of this committee Adam Smith respectively called for a comprehensive investigation. On March 5, a spokesman for the US Marine Corps said military officials were still unsure about the number of soldiers involved in this incident.

"This type of degrading behavior is completely unacceptable. I expect the Marine Corps to fully investigate this matter and provide a satisfactory outcome for those involved," said Congressman Thornberry.

Mr. Smith also called on the Marine Corps to provide adequate mental health care for the victims. "These acts by Marines and Marine veterans are depraved, dangerous and completely unacceptable."

"The Marine Corps is deeply concerned by allegations of offensive online comments and the sharing of obscene images on a private website. This conduct undermines morale, erodes trust, and erodes personal dignity," the US Marine Corps said in a statement.

According to an annual report by the Pentagon in May 2016, the US military received about 6,000 reports of sexual assault in 2015, but many cases still go unreported.

According to TTO