[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E827-E828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 16, 2012

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4310) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe 
     military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2013, and for 
     other purposes:

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment to 
the National Defense Authorization Act, which will assist victims of 
sexual harassment or sexual assault in the military. There are 
countless current and former members of the military who have bravely 
reported sexual harassment or assault, only to be retaliated against. 
My amendment would educate these service members about the resources 
available to them to help them get justice.
  These brave men and women, who serve our nation with honor and 
distinction, should not have to live in fear of reprisal for doing what 
is right. My amendment will ensure that they are informed of the 
resources available, and the processes in place, to protect them from 
any retaliatory personnel actions after reporting sexual harassment or 
abuse.
  The Board of Correction for Military Records (BCMR) is the vehicle by 
which a current or

[[Page E828]]

former member of the Armed Forces who feels that they have suffered an 
injustice as a result of error or injustice in military records may 
apply for a correction of those military records.
  My amendment will educate current and former military members about 
the opportunity to apply for relief from the BCMR if they have been 
previously punished for reporting cases of sexual assault.
  Applying for relief to the BCMR could help a service member such as a 
current Marine who is facing an unwarranted Field Fight Performance 
Board following her filing of a sexual harassment complaint.
  It could help an Army soldier who was denied promotion, removed from 
her assignment, and referred for a mental evaluation after reporting a 
sexual assault, and who received a series of negative evaluation 
reports after filing a sexual harassment complaint and initiating a 
Congressional inquiry into her situation.
  It could help a sailor who is facing involuntary administrative 
separation from the Navy--which would deny her future medical 
benefits--because she has been diagnosed with an ``adjustment 
disorder'' after seeking mental health treatment in the aftermath of a 
sexual assault.
  We have made excellent progress recently in dealing with this blemish 
of sexual assault on the proud and honorable tradition of our armed 
forces. I am pleased that new protections for victims are in place as a 
result of last year's NDAA, and that the Department of Defense is 
moving forward with advanced investigative techniques that will improve 
prosecution of sexual assault cases.
  But I am also very concerned about the issue of sexual harassment, 
which is so often the precursor to sexual assault. This educational 
campaign is simply a first step in addressing the issue of sexual 
harassment, and sending a message that this behavior--and certainly 
retaliating against victims who report it--is absolutely unacceptable 
in our military.
  Much is asked of the men and women who dedicate themselves to the 
protection of our freedoms. We must continue to ensure that we earn 
that trust and dedication.

                          ____________________