[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 17, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H7488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE ARMY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Connecticut [Ms. DeLauro] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. DeLauro. Mr. Speaker, I would like to say thank you to my 
colleagues, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia [Ms. Eleanor 
Holmes Norton] and the gentlewoman from Connecticut, [Mrs. Nancy 
Johnson], for the opportunity to join with them this evening from the 
Women's Caucus to discuss an important issue, which is sexual 
harassment in the Army's ranks; more importantly, what the Army is 
doing about this sexual harassment.
  The Army released its report on the extent of sexual harassment in 
its ranks last Thursday. I commend the Army for conducting and for 
making public this extensive review of the circumstances that have led 
to sexual misconduct at Aberdeen Proving Ground and at other Army 
installations throughout the Nation. This review hammers home the need 
for fairness, fairness in our armed services.
  According to the findings of the review, 78 percent of women in the 
Army have experienced crude or offensive behavior, 47 percent have 
received unwanted sexual attention, and 15 percent have experienced 
actual sexual coercion. This is a mind-boggling number of women, women 
who have chosen to serve their Nation in the Army, who are being 
sexually harrassed or even assaulted.
  This kind of treatment is intolerable anywhere in society, and it is 
particularly disturbing to find it so prevalent in our Armed Forces, 
from people whose mission it is to stand up for justice, not to promote 
inequality or discrimination.
  It is important to note that while the spotlight of harassment has 
focused on women, and certainly that is a tremendous problem, the 
review also shows that men have also been subject to unevenhanded 
treatment. Seventy-six percent of men questioned said they had 
experienced crude or offensive behavior, 30 percent have received 
unwanted sexual attention, and 8 percent have been subject to coercion.
  The Army's review states that the U.S. Army lacks commitment, it 
lacks commitment to its equal opportunity program. Soldiers sometimes 
do not even receive sexual harassment training until they are 3 or 4 
months into their service. Even more disturbing, once soldiers receive 
the training, there is no strong enforcement of the rules.
  Harassment complaints are, and I quote from the Inspector General's 
report, ``generally not processed in accordance with . . . timeliness 
standards. Required complaint feedback is frequently not provided. 
Required investigation extensions are generally not done for cases 
exceeding regulatory timeliness. Required follow-up is generally not 
conducted to ensure corrective action is taken following 
investigation.''
  Most importantly, the Army lacks commitment among its young drill 
sergeants to teach respect as a core army value. Drill sergeants 
exercise total power over their charges. They have a tremendous 
responsibility to exercise that power wisely and fairly, and the Army 
has a responsibility to see that they do so.
  In the past the Army has served as a shining example to the rest of 
the country by leading the way in desegregation. I hope that the Army 
will live up to its tradition of fairness by instituting policy changes 
that will ensure that every member of the service is treated with 
fairness and with dignity.
  While sensitivity training is important, it needs to go further. We 
need to know if the findings of this report reflect a trend throughout 
all branches of the military. We need to institute policies to ensure 
that the strong regulations and procedures which are already in place 
will be put into practice. Women must know that their complaints will 
be acted on so they will not need to be afraid to report misconduct. We 
need to ensure that all of our soldiers are treated with fairness and 
with equality.
  Women serve our country with great distinction and honor throughout 
the ranks of all of the branches of our armed services. They play an 
essential role in our Armed Forces. They should be able to do so 
without discrimination or fear of violence of any kind.

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