[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 133 (Thursday, November 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2066-E2067]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PREVENTION OF AND RESPONSE TO SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN 
                            THE MILITARY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 2004

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I have introduced the Prevention of and 
Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence in the Military Act. 
This bill will address the ongoing problem of violence against women in 
our U.S. Armed Forces. There have been at least 261 reported cases of 
sexual assault in current operations in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and 
Bahrain between August 2002 and November 2004, as well as at least 27 
cases of sexual assault prior to deployment. My legislation will help 
address this issue by improving prevention programs, enhancing victim 
treatment services and changing the Uniform Code of Military Justice to 
more effectively deal with perpetrators of these crimes.
  For too long, the problem of sexual assault in the military has been 
brushed under the rug. Women and men who report sexual assault are 
often ignored or demoted, while perpetrators go unpunished--or are even 
promoted. We cannot continue to tolerate this culture of abuse, which 
has destroyed lives, careers and families. A soldier's job is perilous 
enough--how can they serve with a criminal in their own ranks?
  My bill seeks to transform the process used by the military to handle 
abuse of its own soldiers. It will make important changes to the 
Uniform Code of Military Justice to make certain that those who commit 
crimes are dealt with swiftly and harshly. The legislation will ensure 
that victims are protected and have access to both physical and mental 
treatment and care. We must change entirely the culture that permits 
this kind of abuse to occur. It is my hope that this bill is a first 
step in that direction.
  This legislation updates and revises the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice to incorporate Federal statues addressing sexual assault, 
domestic violence, family violence and stalking. The definition of 
sexual assault is expanded to include a wider range of sexual 
misconduct. The bill also closes loopholes in Federal law relative to 
interstate domestic violence and enforcement of protection orders.
  Moreover, the bill establishes two senior executive level offices, 
Director of Special Investigations and Office of the Victims' Advocate. 
The Director of Special Investigations would support timely and 
appropriate investigations of sexual assault, domestic violence, family 
violence and stalking and would implement and

[[Page E2067]]

support Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs) and Domestic Violence 
Response Teams (DVRTs). The Office of the Victim Advocate would improve 
access to services for victims and survivors.
  Under this legislation, services and treatment for victims of sexual 
assault, domestic violence and stalking will be enhanced and made more 
widely available. Such services would be expanded within the Department 
of Defense and Department of Veterans' Affairs to include health care 
response teams, community health centers, additional sexual trauma 
counseling centers to furnish both inpatient and outpatient services, 
and services for reservists victimized by sexual assault or domestic 
violence. The proposal would also entitle a servicemember to extended 
emergency leave in order to seek medical treatment, obtain 
psychological counseling or victim services, and participate in safety 
planning as a result of sexual or domestic violence.
  My bill will also enhance the rights of victims to safety and 
justice. It will better protect a victims' privacy, including 
communication between a victim and her advocate. It will also provide 
restitution to victims.
  As co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, I have 
been helping to lead the charge to end sexual assault in the military. 
For example, last March, I chaired a hearing at which Jennifer Machmer, 
an Army captain from Buffalo who was assaulted in Kuwait, testified 
before Women's Caucus members. I also offered a successful amendment to 
the FY 05 National Defense Authorization bill that codifies many of the 
recommendations made the Department of Defense Task Force on Care for 
Victims of Sexual Assault.
  This bill encompasses a comprehensive framework to deal with all 
aspects of violence against women in the military. It represents the 
continuation of an ongoing dialogue between legislators, the Pentagon, 
victims and the advocacy community to address these issues.
  On Veteran's Day last week, we honored and commemorated all of the 
brave women and men who have so valiantly served our Nation within our 
U.S. Armed Forces--both in the past, as well as those who continue to 
serve our country today. We must do everything that we can to ensure 
the safety and well-being of all of our U.S. servicemembers. I urge my 
colleagues to support this important initiative.

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