On the recordFebruary 18, 2011
Mr. Speaker, last year the military received over 3,000 reports of sexual assault involving other members in the service. This week, 17 veterans are saying that the military ignored their cases of sexual assault while they were on active duty. These accusations have occurred in all branches of the military. The most recent complaint came from a woman who says she was drugged and gang raped by two fellow members of the Navy. This ended her career. Another rape victim reported the crime to the Marines, and she was ordered not to tell anyone, and to respect the alleged rapist, who was of a higher rank. The perpetrators of rape in the military must be held accountable for their misdeeds, and victims should be respected and validated by the military. The United States has the world's finest military personnel, and we must support all of them, including victims of crime. And that's just the way it is. ____________________
