FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Murray Press Office
November 19, 2013 (202) 224-2834
MURRAY SPEAKS OUT AGAINST MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT
(Washington, D.C.) – Today,
as the Senate debates the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA),
U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) joined a bipartisan group of female
Senators on the floor to speak out against sexual assault in the
military and call on her colleagues to support some of the historic
changes being made to prevent this scourge. Sen. Murray also highlighted
her legislation with Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), which has been included in the NDAA bill, to provide trained military lawyers to victims of sexual assault in all service branches.
“When our best and our brightest put
on a uniform and join the United States Armed Forces, they do so with
the understanding they will sacrifice much in the name of defending our
country and its people. But that sacrifice should never have to come in
the form of abuse from their fellow service members,” said Senator Murray in her speech. “Thanks
to bipartisan cooperation, the work of thousands of dedicated
advocates, and the voices of countless victims who have bravely spoken
out we are poised to make a difference on an issue that women everywhere
have brought out of the shadows.”
In August, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel directed immediate implementation
of several measures to “gain greater consistency of effort and enhance
oversight, investigative quality, pretrial investigations and victim
support” in cases of military sexual assault. Among other measures, the
directive includes implementation of trained lawyers to provide victims
in all branches with guidance through the legal process, similar to the
legislation introduced by Senators Murray and Ayotte.
Full text of Senator Murray’s speech below:
“I first want to thank Senator
Mikulski and Senator Collins for helping to bring many of us to the
floor today to discuss an issue that: cuts across partisan lines, has
plagued our nation’s military, and has gone unaddressed for far too
long.
“Military Sexual Assault is an
epidemic. And it has rightly been identified as such by the Pentagon. It
is absolutely unconscionable that a fellow servicemember, the person
you rely on to have your back and to be there for you, would commit such
a terrible crime. It is simply appalling they could commit such a
personal violation of their brother or sister in uniform. But, what’s
worse, and what has made change an absolute necessity - is the
prevalence of these crimes.
“Recent estimates tell us that 26,000
servicemembers are sexually assaulted each year. And just over 3,000 of
those assaults are reported. According to the Department of Veterans
Affairs, about one in five female veterans treated by VA has suffered
from military sexual trauma. One in five.
“That is certainly not the act of a
comrade. It is not in keeping with the ethos of any of the services. And
it can no longer be tolerated. And that is why the women of the Senate
have been united in calling for action.
“There has been much made of the fact
that there are now 20 women in the Senate – a historic number that I
think we all agree still needs to grow. But it’s also important to
remember that the number alone should not be what’s historic. Instead,
it is what we do with our newfound strength to address the issues that
are impacting women across the country. With this bill, the first
Defense Authorization of this Congress, we are doing exactly that.
“We are taking historic action to help
servicemembers access to the resources they need to seek justice
without fear. And, one way this bill will help do just that, how it
will: protect our servicemembers, assist victims, and punish criminals
-- is through the inclusion of a bill I introduced, across party lines,
with Senator Ayotte.
“Our bill, which is included in the
base bill, creates a new category of legal advocates, called Special
Victims’ Counsels, who would be responsible for advocating on behalf of
the interests of the victim. These SVCs would also advise the victim on
the range of legal issues they may face.
“For example, when a young Private
First Class is intimidated into not reporting a sexual assault by
threatening her with unrelated legal charges -- like underage drinking
-- this new advocate would be there to protect her and tell her the
truth.
“Since January, the Air Force has
provided these advocates to over 500 victims through an innovative new
pilot program. Ten months later, the results speak for themselves: 92%
of victims are “extremely satisfied” with the advice and support their
SVC lent them throughout the military judicial process, 98% would
recommend other victims request these advocates, 93% felt that these
advocates effectively fought on their behalf.
“In describing their experience with
an advocate, one victim shared that, “Going through this was the hardest
thing I ever had to do in my life. Having a Special Victim Counsel
helped tremendously . . . No words could describe how much I appreciate
having one of these advocates.”
“Through our bipartisan efforts the
Defense Authorization bill will also enhance the responsibilities and
authority of DoD’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office – also
known as SAPRO.
“This improvement will help to provide
better oversight of efforts to combat military sexual assault across
the Armed Forces. SAPRO would also be required to regularly track and
report on a range of MSA statistics, including assault rates, the number
of cases brought to trial, and compliance within each of the
individual services.
“Some of this data collection and reporting is already being done.
“So this requirement would not be more
burdensome, but it would give that office authority to track and report
to us on the extent of the problem.
“I believe the great strength of our
military is in the character and dedication of our men and women who
wear the uniform. It is the courage of these Americans, to volunteer to
serve, that are the Pentagon’s greatest asset. I know it is said a lot,
but take a moment to really think about it.
“Our servicemembers volunteer to face
danger, to put their lives on the line, to protect the country and all
its people. When we think of those dangers, we think of IEDs. We think
of battles with insurgents, we shouldn’t have to focus on the threats
they encounter from their fellow servicemember.
“And we should never, never allow for a
culture in which the fear of reporting a crime allows a problem like
this to fester year after year.
“These are dangers that cannot be
accepted, and none of our courageous servicemembers should ever have to
face. Earlier this year when I asked Navy Secretary Ray Maybus about the
sexual assault epidemic, I was glad that he told me that “concern”
wasn’t a strong enough word to describe how he feels about this problem.
He said he is angry about it.
“And I know many of us here,
particularly many of my female colleagues who have dedicated so much
time to this issue, share this feeling and want to put an end to this
epidemic. So, I am hopeful that we can work quickly to do right by our
nation’s heroes.
“Because when our best and our
brightest put on a uniform and join the United States Armed Forces, they
do so with the understanding they will sacrifice much in the name of
defending our country and its people. But that sacrifice should never
have to come in the form of abuse from their fellow service members.
“I’m proud that the women of the
Senate have taken this issue head on. And what should never be lost in
the effort to enact the many changes that have been proposed, is that
for too long this was an issue that was simply swept under the rug.
That’s no longer the case.
“Thanks
to bipartisan cooperation, the work of thousands of dedicated
advocates, and the voices of countless victims who have bravely spoken
out -- we are poised to make a difference on an issue that women
everywhere have brought out of the shadows.”
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Meghan Roh
Press Secretary | New Media Director
Office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray
Mobile: (202) 365-1235
Office: (202) 224-2834