Sex-Assault Victims May Be Eligible for VA Disability Pay
Military personnel who were the victims of sexual assault can seek disability pay for the psychiatric trauma even if they didn’t officially report the incident, a U.S. appeals court ruled today.
Fear of retaliation: The culture that prevents airmen from speaking up
They accused superiors of assault and harassment, now their careers are over.
Victims “tell me they don’t come forward for a number of reasons. They feel personally ashamed. They feel that they may be blamed for what has happened. They do fear retaliation, sometimes from chain of command, sometimes from their buddies in the unit.”
Rape In The Military: An Epic Tragedy Enabled By Poor Governance
Did you see the recent New York Times article on the outrageous questioning of an alleged rape victim during a military trial? The scene described dovetails with events going on at the University of Southern California Price School, where I teach and direct the Bedrosian Center on Governance. It also highlights how poor governance structures can make a bad system even worse.
Pentagon advisory panel: Strip commanders’ ability to prosecute sexual assaults
The push to strip commanders of their authority to prosecute sexual assault cases got a boost from an official Pentagon advisory group that is calling on military leaders to support the proposed law.
The Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, known as DACOWITS, voted on Friday to support the controversial bill that is gaining steam, albeit slowly, on Capitol Hill.
The U.S. military’s enemy within
As a sexual assault case involving three U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen — all current or former football players — works its way through the system, advocates for victims of sexual assault in the U.S. military say abuse stems from a culture of misogyny and machismo in which sexual aggression and deviance are tolerated and even admired as the Right Stuff.
The culture, they told “E:60,” has been enabled by the U.S. military’s system of broken justice that allows the military to attract abusers while providing them a safe haven.
Read more: http://espn.go.com/espn/e60/story/_/id/9754343/the-us-military-enemy-within
Because more than 86% of service members assaulted do NOT report it. Help us pass the MJIA. Contact your
Senators and Representatives and ask them to reform the military justice system and provide victims with a new place to report their crimes. Please sign this petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/u-s-congress-demand-justice-for-military-sexual-trauma-victims-support-s-967?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=petition_message_notice
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is soliciting advice on what else he can do to stop sexual assault in the ranks by turning to a panel of experts from outside the Pentagon.
But there’s a big catch: The nine-person committee he has chartered to study the issue doesn’t plan to release any recommendations until several months after the Senate votes on the key question of whether to remove the chain of command from major criminal prosecutions.
Read more here.
In January, veterans were able to address the House Armed Services Committee regarding crime and non combat death in the military. The testimony was on the heels of what was referred to in the media as the “Lackland Sex Scandal.” The veterans specifically emphasized that crime is military wide and not specific to the Air Force. The veterans also shared that most service members are not reporting because of a fear of retaliation. Shortly after the testimony was given, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced the combat exclusion policy was lifted and the media was poised to move in that direction.
Then in March, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand asked for a hearing on Military Sexual Assault with those on the personnel subcommittee to the Senate Armed Services Committee. At that time four other veterans testified and affirmed that removing the Chain of Command would have helped prevent their current situations due to the retaliation.
Senator Gillibrand announced in May that she was going to sponsor the Military Justice Improvement Act, which is a law that would restrict the Commanders from handling felony crimes of over a year or more sentence. She introduced it to the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senator Carl Levin shut the whole thing down. It was at this time that Senator Claire McCaskill, Senator Kelly Ayotte, Senator Jon Tester, Senator Jim Inhofe, and Senator Levin started to fight for the Department of Defense and keep everything status quo.
Right now we are trying to get support from the other Senators to force the MJIA bill back on the table. We have both Democrats and Republicans on board and recently Conservatives like Senator Rand Paul, Senator Chuck Grassley, and Senator Ted Cruz have signed on because they understand the constitutional aspect of this dilemma. We should not be reporting felony crimes to our boss. We should be reporting violent crimes to a legal authority of some sort. One person, ie the Commander, should not have sole discretion over whether or not we proceed with justice.
Please contact your Senators and Representatives and ask them to sponsor legislation that mirrors that of the civilian justice system. Victims of crimes should report to police, the police should investigate the claims, the police should enter the information into the FBI national database, and then a prosecutor can make a decision as to whether one can move forward with a case in a court of law. A person’s claim needs to be corroborated in some way so that we have the evidence necessary to go to court, win, and put a criminal behind bars.
Related Links:
Air Force TSgt. Jennifer Norris Testified Before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington DC (January 23, 2013)
Defense Department Rescinds Direct Combat Exclusion Rule; Services to Expand Integration of Women into Previously Restricted Occupations and Units (January 24, 2013)
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel: Hearings on ‘Sexual Assault in the Military’ (March 13, 2013)
Stars and Stripes: ‘White House, Congress bear down on military sexual assault’ (May 16, 2013)
S. 967: Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 – U.S. Senate Voting Record (March 6, 2014)
Military Policy and Legislation Considerations for the Investigations of Non Combat Death, Homicide, and Suicide of US Service Members
Vox: The War in Congress Over Rape in the Military, Explained (June 8, 2016)
Washington D.C. Veteran’s Presentation on the Current Status of the Armed Forces at Fort Hood in Texas (December 12, 2017)
S. 1789: Military Justice Improvement Act of 2019 Reintroduced by Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York (June 13, 2019)
Gillibrand: The Military Justice Improvement Act Would Give Service Members a Justice System That Works (July 1, 2019)
House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel: Hearings on Domestic Violence in the Military (September 18, 2019)
Rep. Seth Moulton Introduces The Brandon Act to Change DoD Mental Health Policy, Pay Tribute to Fallen Navy Sailor Brandon Caserta (June 25, 2020)
Senators Cruz, Gillibrand, Grassley Offer Bipartisan Military Justice Improvement Act as Amendment to Defense Bill (July 2, 2020)
Open Letter to House of Representatives in Support of an Independent Investigation of the Murder of Vanessa Guillen at Fort Hood (July 7, 2020)
House Armed Services Committee Congressional Investigation of Fort Hood: Research Reveals Pattern of Suspicious Deaths and Cover-up (September 11, 2020)
Army Soldiers at Fort Hood in Texas Are Dying at Alarming Rates Stateside (January 1, 2016 to Present)
Senate Armed Services Committee Members & House Armed Services Committee Members (June 21, 2019)
“A military judge did something extraordinary last summer when he ordered the Marine Corps‘ top officer to submit sworn statements in a sexual assault case. The answers from the commandant, Gen. James F. Amos, have some in Marine legal circles wondering whether he told the full truth. Gen. Amos, a Joint Chiefs of Staff member, faces charges from defense attorneys that his words and actions have unleashed a wave of unlawful command influence over jurors who venerate the commandant.” Read more from The Washington Times here.
Sen. Ted Cruz Q&A in Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on Sexual Assaults in the Military -Senator Ted Cruz (June 4, 2013)
Gillibrand Leads Bipartisan Senate Coalition to End Military Sexual Assault -U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (July 16, 2013)
Sen. Ted Cruz Supports Sen. Gillibrand’s Push to Stop Sexual Assault in the Military -Senator Ted Cruz (July 16, 2013)
Sen. Ted Cruz Joins Sen. Gillibrand in Press Conference on Preventing Sexual Assault in the Military -Senator Ted Cruz (November 6, 2013)
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stops by to talk about what she’s doing to protect our soilders from military sexual assault. Find out why she’s getting support from both sides of the aisle and tune in to hear from a survivor. -Katie Couric (November 19, 2013)
Sen. Ted Cruz Speaks In Favor of Gillibrand Amendment to Combat Sexual Assault in the Military (November 20, 2013)
Senators Rand Paul and Ted Cruz joined the New York Democrat in support of taking the chain of command out of military sexual assault cases. -The Washington Examiner (February 18, 2014)
Senator Ted Cruz speaks out in support of a military sexual assault bill that was blocked in the Senate. -CNN (March 6, 2014)
Sen. Ted Cruz at MJIA Press Conference -Senator Ted Cruz (December 2, 2014)
[Full Video] Senator Gillibrand was joined by Senators Grassley, Blumenthal, Cruz and Wyden to discuss next steps in the effort to pass the Military Justice Improvement Act. -U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (June 16, 2015)
Sen. Ted Cruz at Military Justice Improvement Act Press Conference. -Senator Ted Cruz (June 16, 2015)
Ted Cruz speaks out on sexual assault in the military. -CNN (April 1, 2016)
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is reaching across the aisle to prevent military officers from reaching into their subordinates’ pants. #passMJIA -Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (June 7, 2016)
Support the Military Justice Improvement Act, and help protect our privates’ privates. #PassMJIA -Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (June 7, 2016)
Related Links:
Ted Cruz | U.S. Senator for Texas
SASC Members & HASC Members (2019)
S.967 – Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 Cosponsors
S. 967: Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 – U.S. Senate Voting Record (2014)
S. 1789: Military Justice Improvement Act of 2019 Reintroduced by Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York (June 13, 2019)
Townhall: Paul, Cruz Turn Military Sexual Assault into Bipartisan Issue
Press Release: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Praises Senators Rand Paul, Ted Cruz for Support of Military Sexual Assault Legislation
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Praises Senators Rand Paul, Ted Cruz for Support of Military Sexual Assault Legislation | Hawaii Reporter
GOP Senators Line Up With Democrats In Support Of Military Sexual Assault Bill
Unlikely Senate Allies Gillibrand, Paul and Cruz Take on Military Brass
Rand Paul, Ted Cruz Beef Up GOP Support for Military Sex-Assault Bill
Ted Cruz and Rand Paul Back Overhaul of How the Military Handles Sexual Assault
Two Republican Senators sign on to military sexual assault bill
Sens. Paul, Cruz Join Efforts to Reform Military Sexual Assault Management
Unlikely Allies Shake Up Military Sex Assault Debate
Paul, Cruz join Gillibrand on military sex-assault bill
Tea Party Joins Gillibrand’s Campaign Against Military Sexual Assault
Editorial: The military’s enemy within
Senator Gillibrand targets military law over sexual assault
Why is Obama AWOL on Gillibrand’s bill to curb military sexual assault?
Rand Paul and Ted Cruz lend GOP support to military sex assault bill
Why Rand Paul and Ted Cruz Really Want Their Names on the Military Sexual Assault Bill
Gillibrand’s Drive Challenges Senate Power Brokers on Military Sexual Assault Remedy
Reports Of Military Sexual Assaults Up 46 Percent — But Why?
Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Teams With Ted Cruz And Rand Paul To Reform Military Sex Assault Justice Cases
Senate showdown over military sexual assault bill
Gillibrand Sexual Assault Bill Headed to Vote
Gillibrand & Cruz: Stop sexual violence in the military
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand answers your questions on military sexual assault
Broken Senate Delays Military Sexual Assault Reform
Why Do Ted Cruz and Rand Paul Support Kirsten Gillibrand’s Sexual Assault Bill?
Was the Senate Right to Block Gillibrand’s Bill?
Senate Blocks Bill To Overhaul Military Sex Assault Prosecutions
Gillibrand bill on military sex assaults fails
Everything You Need To Know About The Military Sexual Assault Bill That Passed In The Senate
The Senate Thinks They’ve Done Enough to Stop Military Rape
Kirsten Gillibrand’s Sexual Assault Bill SNAFU
Military Sexual Assault Bill Months In The Making Fails In Senate
The Quest for Military Sexual Assault Reform
Gillibrand makes new push on military sex assault bill
Military sex assault reform bill revived
Bipartisan Push for Military to Improve Handling of Sex-Assault Cases
Senators renew push to change military’s handling of rape
Gillibrand Seeks Another Vote on Military’s Handling of Sexual Assault
Push to reform military justice system revived in Senate
Opinion | Military Sexual Assault Still Unresolved
Ted Cruz Was 25 Years Ahead Of His Time On Fighting Campus Rape
Senate Blocks Military Sexual Assault Legislation
Gillibrand determined to force change in military justice system, but it’s an uphill battle
Exploiting Sexual Assault in the Military
Ted Cruz makes personal link to military sexual assault reform
Cruz-supported military sexual assault reform fails in Senate
Senator renews drive to reform military sexual assault prosecutions
Cruz: We have an obligation to protect our servicemen and women
The Democratic Bill Even Ted Cruz and Rand Paul Support
The war in Congress over rape in the military, explained
Rand Paul and Ted Cruz Support Democrat’s Military Justice Reform Bill, to Liberal Host’s Surprise
Watch Samantha Bee Agree With Ted Cruz About the Military Justice Improvement Act
Sens. Cruz, Gillibrand Reintroduce Military Justice Improvement Act (2019)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand gains some GOP support on bill to combat sexual assault in military
Gillibrand reintroduces proposal to confront military sexual assault
Video Links:
Sen. Ted Cruz Q&A in Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on Sexual Assaults in the Military
Gillibrand Leads Bipartisan Senate Coalition to End Military Sexual Assault
Sen. Ted Cruz Supports Sen. Gillibrand’s Push to Stop Sexual Assault in the Military
Sen. Ted Cruz Joins Sen. Gillibrand in Press Conference on Preventing Sexual Assault in the Military
Senator Kirsten’s Gillibrand’s Measure to Protect Our Soldiers From Sexual Assault
Sen. Ted Cruz Speaks In Favor of Gillibrand Amendment to Combat Sexual Assault in the Military
Gillibrand grabs crucial support for military sexual assault bill
Sen. Ted Cruz at MJIA Press Conference
Sen. Cruz: They didn’t sign up to be sexually assaulted
Military Justice Improvement Act Press Conference (6/16/2015)
Military Justice Improvement Act Press Conference
Sen. Ted Cruz at Military Justice Improvement Act Press Conference
Military Sexual Assault HRG-Cruz: Not Working
#passMJIA | Full Frontal with Samantha Bee | TBS
The “Ted Cruz Caress” Challenge | Full Frontal with Samantha Bee | TBS
