[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 106 (Thursday, July 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1517-E1518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE VETERANS SEXUAL TRAUMA TREATMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LUIS V. GUTIERREZ

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 1997

  Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of the 
Veterans Sexual Trauma Treatment Act, which I have introduced today 
with the support of 33 of my colleagues.
  I want to begin by thanking four outstanding Veterans Service 
Organizations; the American Legion, Amvets, the Veterans of Foreign 
Wars and the Vietnam Veterans of America for their leadership on this 
issue. Their input on this legislation has been invaluable. I am very 
proud that they all strongly support this legislation and thank them 
for their work.
  The Veterans Sexual Trauma Treatment Act provides very real help to 
veterans who experience the very real problem of sexual abuse or 
harassment while serving in our nation's military. The numbers are 
alarming. In 1996, approximately 190,000 women served in our armed 
services.
  A Department of Defense survey of active duty women found that 5 
percent of women had been the victim of a sexual assault. That is 
almost 10,000 women. These statistics--and news reports of incidents 
like those at Aberdeen--have made clear the existence of very serious 
problem in our Armed Forces and the need to move aggressively to end 
the tragedy of sexual abuse.
  However, we must also take aggressive steps to help our veterans 
after this abuse or harassment has occurred. The pain and suffering 
that sexual abuse causes does not end when a person leaves the 
military. The physical, psychological and emotional effects are often 
just beginning.
  That is why I believe the Veterans' Sexual Trauma Treatment Act is so 
important. This legislation strengthens existing Veterans 
Administration programs for aiding victims of sexual assault. Sadly, 
the current law is inadequate. It states that the VA may provide 
counseling and care to victims of sexual assault, and that the program 
must be reauthorized each and every year.

  It excludes members of the reserves and National Guard--thereby 
denying care to some soldiers called to duty during the Gulf War. It 
also excludes any military personnel who separate before 2 years of 
duty with our armed forces. Finally, the VA has done a woeful job of 
notifying veterans of what services are available to them and how to 
access these services.
  I don't believe these half-hearted provisions are acceptable for 
veterans who have made whole-hearted commitments to serving our Nation.
  We know that problems exist. We should pass legislation that 
guarantees care.
  Our bill assures a national commitment to our veterans. Our bill 
makes the provision of care to victims of sexual assault or harassment 
mandatory--and permanently authorize this care. It allows veterans who 
separate before they have completed 2 years of service to be eligible 
for care and counseling. This is vital, because often sexual assault is 
the very reason these people leave the military. It is illogical and 
unfair to deny them care.

[[Page E1518]]

  The Veterans Sexual Trauma Act also makes reservists and National 
Guard members eligible for care.
  It also ensures that health professionals--not VA administrators--
make determinations about eligibility for care and guarantees that all 
appropriate medical care is made available to any eligible veteran.
  Finally, it mandates that the VA aggressively promote the 
availability of this vital service and assure that veterans are aware 
of these counseling and care programs.
  This is not a complicated bill, nor is it an expensive bill.
  It is however, a vital bill.
  Each year, more and more women make the decision to dedicate a 
portion of their lives to serving our Nation.
  The increasing enlistment of females is a trend that should make our 
Nation proud--but we should be ashamed when any soldier faces sexual 
assault or harassment.
  When Americans enlist in the military they make a promise to dedicate 
their lives to serving our Nation.
  This legislation helps America keep its promise to our veterans--its 
promise to provide all necessary health care.
  Care and counseling for victims of sexual abuse and trauma should be 
a basic and fundamental part of the health care services the VA makes 
available to our veterans. Today, it is not.
  This legislation accomplishes this important goal. I urge all of my 
colleagues to support it and push for its quick passage.

                          ____________________