[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H2822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           STOP MILITARY RAPE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Speier) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, today I rise again to speak about the 
horrific situation in the military, and that is the epidemic of rape 
and sexual assault that goes on unabated.
  This is the 20th time that I am here on the floor to tell the story 
of yet another victim. Nineteen times before, I've been on this floor 
to tell about victims in military service. I've told you about the 
military culture that treats sexual harassment and assault with a 
silent acceptance and the command structure that punishes the victim 
and does not take care of dealing with the perpetrator.
  Today I'm going to tell you about the culture that exists in our 
military service academies that train our cadets to become commissioned 
officers. I have not told you that the same conflicted chain-of-command 
structure that exists in the military also exists at our prestigious 
service academies. The military academy at West Point as well as the 
Naval, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Merchant Marine academies follow the 
same rule as the military, the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
  Today I am going to tell you the story of Karley Marquet, who was a 
first-year cadet when she was raped just last year. She was a brand-
spanking-new West Pointer. Gifted in both academics and athletics, 
Karley was a star high school student. She had her pick to go to any 
number of colleges. She chose West Point because she wanted to serve 
her country. West Point chose Karley because she possessed the skills 
and character that the Army needs for success.
  But only a few months at the academy, Karley was betrayed. She was 
raped by a West Point upperclassman that she knew and thought she could 
trust. He came to her room one night when she was alone to talk about 
girl troubles. He gave her a sports drink that had alcohol in it. Peer 
pressure by upperclassmen to consume alcohol is pervasive at West 
Point. Karley drank about one-quarter of the liquid in the bottle, and 
she became intoxicated. The upperclassman convinced her to go to his 
room, and he raped her. Later, the upperclassman repeatedly went to 
Karley's room to prevent her from reporting the rape. She also heard 
West Point upperclassmen talk about another female cadet who had 
reported being raped. They called the victim a ``slut'' who ``was 
asking for it.''
  But Karley was not intimidated. She reported the crime to her chain 
of command. But just like so many of the stories I have told here 
before, no serious action was taken to assist her. West Point did not 
move the perpetrator from Karley's company. She had to see him every 
day. West Point did not alter Karley's duties, which meant that she 
still had to do chores with the upperclassman who raped her.
  As a result of the rape and the hostile environment, Karley began to 
suffer posttraumatic stress symptoms, becoming depressed and suicidal. 
Karley resigned from West Point less than a year after becoming a 
cadet.
  It's been over a year since Karley was raped, yet the perpetrator has 
not been brought to justice. Why was nothing done to help this talented 
young woman who, only 12 months before, was deemed qualified and 
deserving of a spot at the prestigious United States Military Academy?
  The violent act committed against Karley is reprehensible. The 
dismissive attitude held by academy officials is shocking and 
inexcusable. It is time for this narrative to change.
  Last December, a Department of Defense report revealed a nearly 60 
percent increase in reported sexual assaults at service academies in 
addition to the fact that West Point was found ``not in compliance'' 
with the Pentagon's policies to prevent rape and sexual assault.
  Civilian colleges and university students can report crimes to local 
police officers. They can press charges directly against perpetrators, 
and they can obtain their own legal counsel. Military cadets must 
comply with the military justice system that has a horrible record of 
providing justice for victims of rape and sexual assault. Our future 
military leaders deserve better.
  Survivors can email me at [email protected] if they 
would like to speak out as well.

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