[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 83 (Wednesday, June 16, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OFFICE OF VICTIM ADVOCATE ACT

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                       HON. CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 16, 2004

  Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, since women were allowed to serve in 
combat, we have been stunned from time to time by stories of sexual 
assault and abuse within military circles. In response to numerous 
reports of female troops deployed in Iraq being sexually assaulted by 
fellow soldiers, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld established a task 
force to review its policies and programs concerning sexual assault and 
the treatment and support of victims.
  Several weeks ago the Sexual Assault Task Force reported its 
findings, and it put a spotlight on serious deficiencies in the way the 
military has handled sexual assault cases. For example, the Department 
of Defense has no system for tracking reports of sexual assault; a lack 
of privacy and confidentiality dissuades victims from reporting 
incidents of sexual abuse; DoD lacks uniform policies and program to 
coordinate care and support for sexual assault victims; and there is no 
commonly accepted definition of sexual assault.
  The Secretary's Task Force report does a good job of identifying 
shortcomings in its management of sexual abuse cases, but it is wanting 
in arriving at hard solutions for eliminating the problem. For that 
reason, I am introducing legislation today that would authorize the 
establishment of the Office of Victim Advocate at the Secretary level.
  The DoD Office of the Victim Advocate would provide access to 
services for victims and survivors associated with the military. 
Moreover, it would establish policies procedures and practices by which 
the privacy and confidentiality of persons seeking assistance for 
assaults and abuse inflicted upon them by military personnel can be 
protected. The Office would review complaints of persons and 
investigate the ones where victims may be in need of or benefit from 
services of a victim advocate. The proposed Office would evaluate the 
delivery of services by the various military departments and coordinate 
the services provided by those departments.
  The Defense Department can be more aggressive in its handling of 
sexual abuse cases and that is the goal and mission of the Office of 
the Victim Advocate. I am hopeful that my colleagues on the House Armed 
Services Committee will assign this issue a high priority within the 
Office of the Secretary of Defense and support this legislation.

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