Category: Felony Crime

Pingree addresses undersecretary of the Navy nominee’s controversial comments about sexual assault in the military

On By AdministratorIn Military Policy, Navy, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

Chellie PingreePingree addresses undersecretary of the Navy nominee’s controversial comments about sexual assault in the military

PORTLAND, Maine — Controversial statements about how the military handles sexual assault claims by a woman nominated for the second highest civilian position in the Navy have caused a key U.S. Senate member to question whether she should get the job.

Members of Maine’s congressional delegation, who have played key roles in trying to enact legislation to address sexual assault in the military, weren’t ready to oppose Jo Ann Rooney’s nomination as undersecretary of the Navy, but they did express concern Friday about her position on sexual assault in the military.

Read more: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/10/19/news/portland/rep-pingree-addresses-undersecretary-of-the-navy-nominees-controversial-comments-about-sexual-assault-in-the-military/

Only the truth will save us: Society fails when victims of sexual assault are stigmatized

On By AdministratorIn Military Policy, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

Rape Culture Cycle

Only the truth will save us: Society fails when victims of sexual assault are stigmatized

Another story about rape and football.

Two girls say they’re raped in small town Missouri. Felony charges are leveled against a high school football player, then dropped. Under what influence? One juvenile offender is convicted on a lesser charge. The social media bullying begins. Local authorities shrug as the victim is run out of town. Or attempts suicide. Months later, the whole rotten story appears in the Kansas City Star, and under even greater political pressure those authorities are forced to consider taking the matter up again. Sound familiar?

As it is in Annapolis, where two football players face court-martial. As it is in Nashville, where a football player pleads guilty to covering up the gang rape allegedly committed by his teammates. As it is in Steubenville, where two football players commit rape and the community harasses the victims. So it is in Maryville. Is football culture rape culture?

Read more: http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/9845262/society-fails-victims-sexual-assault-stigmatized

National Guard working toward a better future for sexual assault victims

On By AdministratorIn Military Policy, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

Air National Guard SealNational Guard working toward a better future for sexual assault vicitims

A month ago the 122nd Fighter Wing of the Indiana Air National Guard had a stand down, or stop of military action, to discuss the topic of sexual assault. It was part of a national military stand down on the topic since 2005.

Capt. Rebecca Metzger, wing executive officer/sexual assault response coordinator, led a series of discussion groups to train the 900-some guard members at the Fort Wayne-based 122nd about the topic. Each section had anywhere from 90 to 150 people in it. The idea Metzger explained was to inform and spark discussion on what is often an uncomfortable topic.

Read more: http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130927/NEWS/130929743/-1/LIVING

USMC Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Campaign Plan

On By AdministratorIn Military Policy, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

USMCUSMC Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Campaign Plan

“Sexual assault is an ugly mark on our proud reputation; it goes against  everything we claim to be as United States Marines … it is a crime … and we  will eradicate it from the Corps,” said General James F. Amos, Commandant of the  Marine Corps.

The Marine Corps recognizes that sexual assault is a  problem within our ranks and we are taking action now to change our culture to  prevent and eliminate this crime. This is not who we are as a Marine Corps. As  Marines, we pride ourselves on iron discipline and combat excellence. We know  sexual assault damages lives, erodes trust and unit cohesion, and dishonors all  Marines past and present. We are accountable as individual Marines and leaders  at every level. Americans join our Corps with the faith that we will treat them  with dignity and respect, and we will address any misconduct or criminal  behavior with swift and fair justice.

Marines must also have confidence  that, if assaulted, we will immediately provide compassionate victim support and  hold offenders accountable. When it comes to sexual assault prevention, all  Marines know we have fallen short.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/115309/sexual-assault-prevention-response-campaign-plan#.UmILICLD_mI

Wilkerson: Demotion, ouster politically motivated

On By AdministratorIn Military Policy, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

USAF SealWilkerson: Demotion, ouster politically motivated

Lt. Col. James Wilkerson, the former Aviano Air Base, Italy, inspector general whose overturned sexual assault conviction triggered calls for change to long-standing military law, called his forced retirement and demotion to major an unfair and politically motivated decision.

“I emphatically disagree with [the] decision and believe my service record provides clear proof that I honorably served in the rank of lieutenant colonel, so much that I was promoted to colonel,” Wilkerson said in a statement to Air Force Times.

It is the first time Wilkerson has spoken publicly about his case.

Read more: http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20131018/NEWS/310180012/Wilkerson-Demotion-ouster-politically-motivated

Attorney for accused student seeks superintendent’s recusal in sex assault case

On By AdministratorIn Military Policy, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

US Naval Academy InsigniaAttorney for accused student seeks superintendent’s recusal in sex assault case

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A lawyer for a U.S. Naval Academy student accused of sexual assault is asking a federal judge to remove the school’s superintendent from the case out of concern he could be biased from political pressure due to the heightened focus on the sexual assault problem in the military.

Jason Ehrenberg, an attorney for Midshipman Josh Tate, wrote in a court filing submitted Tuesday night that a bias on the part of Vice Adm. Michael Miller could affect how he chooses who will serve on a court-martial panel that will decide his client’s guilt or innocence. Ehrenberg noted that the superintendent decided to refer the case to a court-martial despite recommendations from an investigating officer and Miller’s own senior counsel not to do so after an Article 32 hearing. The hearing resembles a preliminary hearing in civilian court.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/apnewsbreak-attorney-for-accused-student-seeks-superintendents-recusal-in-sex-assault-case/2013/10/16/d76ee65a-3671-11e3-89db-8002ba99b894_story.html

DOD Bolsters sexual assault victim advocacy with new initiatives

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Department of DefenseDOD Bolsters sexual assault victim advocacy with new initiatives

WASHINGTON – The Defense Department continues to take steps to improve victims’ confidence in sexual assault advocacy through a multi-pronged approach, said the deputy director for DOD’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, Oct. 3.

Air Force Col. Alan R. Metzler, SAPRO’s deputy director, emphasized that the first step to stopping sexual assault in the military is through prevention and working to reinforce cultural imperatives of mutual trust and respect, team commitment, and professional values.

Read more: http://www.dolphin-news.com/articles/2013/10/17/life/doc525ec223e3833716250594.txt

Cody Hooks, US Air Force, Murdered his Wife Kaylla Rihn & Then Killed Himself in San Antonio, Texas (2013)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Suicide, USAFLeave a comment
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Kaylla Brooke Rihn and SrA Cody Hooks, US Air Force

Senior Airman Cody Hooks and Kaylla Brooke Rihn were found dead in their apartment from an apparent murder-suicide on October 17, 2013 in San Antonio, Texas. Their friends reported this was two days after they heard them having a late night argument. Although family were not aware of any previous issues with the couple. Senior Airman Cody Hooks, 21, was considered a suspect and Kaylla Brooke Rihn, 22, was listed as a homicide victim in the shooting. They found Rihn dead with a bullet wound to one eye and Hooks with a .40-caliber wound to his temple. A Beretta handgun was found near his body. SrA Hooks was a member of the 802nd Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio. Hooks and Rihn were married only two weeks before the murder-suicide yet family didn’t learn she was married until after she was found dead. This was SrA Hooks first tour of duty with the Air Force and it is unknown if he deployed in support of the war efforts.

“Suicides have plagued the armed forces for years, with self-inflicted deaths rising after the U.S. went to war in Afghanistan and Iraq. A record was set last year (2012), with the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps logging 514 suicides.” -My SA

Related Links:
Murder-suicide suspected in pair’s deaths

Senior Airman raped in Okinawa

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mydutytospeak's avatar My Duty to Speak

Sarah, United States Air Force

It all began 22 March 2003. I landed in a foreign land as a technical school graduate. After departing my flight I got settled into this new land called Okinawa. When I finally got acclimated to the shop I met my first supervisor, Staff Sergeant ***** Our first supervisor/trainee session was at CoCo’s, the local curry shop. Since this was all new to me, I thought that this was how bonds were built between the ranks. Then **** began telling me about all of his heterosexual and homosexual relationships he had been having on the island. Mind you, this man was married with a child. I began to feel like this encounter was not going as it should and was feeling very uncomfortable about the topic.

After our food came he propositioned me. He said, “If you have sex with me I will give you…

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Court-martial begins Tuesday in Dyess child neglect case

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Child Abuse, Military Policy, USAFLeave a comment

USAF SealCourt-martial begins Tuesday in Dyess child neglect case

A court-martial begins Tuesday for a Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, senior airman accused of failing to report the neglect of a toddler who died last year at her family’s base home.

Senior Airman Christopher Perez is charged with dereliction of duty, child endangerment and adultery. Perez was living at the home of Tiffany Klapheke and her husband, Senior Airman Thomas Klapheke, when the toddler died in August 2012.

Read more: http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20131014/NEWS06/310140011/Court-martial-begins-Tuesday-Dyess-child-neglect-case