[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 86 (Monday, June 17, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE MILITARY

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                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 14, 2013

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
efforts to fight sexual assault in the military. Sexual assault and 
rape are violent and horrific crimes, and they must be treated as 
serious offense, not--as Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia has 
suggested--as a byproduct of ``hormones.''
  According to Pentagon estimates, last year, over 70 service women and 
men were sexually assaulted every single day. The Department of Defense 
estimates that 26,000 sexual assaults occurred last year, an increase 
from the estimated 19,300 assaults in 2010. Yet only a fraction of 
those crimes are referred to courts martial.
  We face an epidemic of sexual assault in the military. Because of a 
culture of intimidation and retaliation against victims, coupled with 
the low rate of prosecution and punishment, the vast majority of these 
crimes go unreported. In some instances, the victim seeks help but opts 
not to file a formal complaint.
  The men and women of the armed services risk their lives to defend 
our country. Our military is built on the values of trust, discipline, 
and respect.
  Despite growing discussion and awareness of the fact that sexual 
assault has become entrenched in our military culture, we've seen 
limited progress toward a solution. That's why I am proud to support 
provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that make 
progress toward combating military sexual assault. As currently 
written, the NDAA strips commanders of their ability to dismiss court 
martial convictions for serious offenders, and it prohibits commanders 
from reducing guilty findings for serious offenses. The NDAA requires 
that servicemembers found guilty of rape or sexual assault be 
punitively discharged from the military.
  Among other provisions, the Defense Authorization bill we're 
considering today also lays out the rights of victims. It allows them 
to apply for a permanent change of station or unit transfer, ensuring 
they are not forced to continue to serve next to their assaulter.
  However, I believe we need to go further. I am a cosponsor of 
Congresswoman Jackie Speier's legislation H.R. 1593, the Sexual Assault 
Training Oversight and Prevention (STOP) Act. The STOP Act would take 
the reporting, oversight, investigation and victim care of sexual 
assaults out of the hands of the military's normal chain of command and 
place jurisdiction in the newly-created, autonomous Sexual Assault 
Oversight and Response Office comprised of civilian and military 
experts.
  In addition to the STOP Act, Congresswoman Speier has introduced an 
amendment--which I am proud to cosponsor--to the Defense Authorization 
bill taking the decision-making of whether to prosecute out of the 
chain of command and give discretion to trained prosecutors.
  Mr. Speaker, service women and men who survive sexual violence should 
not have to choose between their careers and justice. They should not 
be afraid to report crimes perpetrated against them, and they should 
not face intimidation when seeking treatment and other services. I 
strongly believe we need to take action now to fundamentally change the 
way sexual assault is handled in the military by passing legislation to 
prevent and punish sexual assault and rape.

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