Call CONGRESS TO INTRODUCE "DEFENSE STRONG ACT" TO COMBAT MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT

[annm4peace]

"I'm willing to bet that's a low number and totally inaccurate. Just ask any of the women in my MST (Military Sexual Trauma) support group."

Massachusetts' Fifth District Congresswoman Niki Tsongas has announced the introduction of the Defense Sexual Trauma Response, Oversight and Good Governance Act (The Defense STRONG Act), bipartisan legislation to expand legal rights for servicemembers who have been victims of sexual assault and improve training in the military related to the prevention of and response to this crime. Among its main provisions, the legislation would enable victims to access legal counsel, maintain confidentiality when speaking with Victim Advocates, and provide greater training for sexual assault prevention at every level of the armed services.

We are asking that each member of VFP call their Representative to ask them:

1 - Will you serve as a co-sponsor of the STRONG Act?

2 - Will you support survivors of Military Sexual Assault and vote for passage of the STRONG Act?

Veterans For Peace would like to thank those representatives who do sign on as co-sponsors and support this bill, so please email us at [e-mail] and let us know your Representatives response.

Senator Kerry will be introducing the Senate version of the bill on Tuesday, May 11.

The Defense STRONG Act is being introduced as reported incidents of sexual assault in military have increased in recent years.

These escalating numbers are estimated by the Department of Defense to
reflect only one tenth of the actual number of such offenses,
and surveys of women veterans indicate that as many as 1 in 3 women
(and 1 in 10 men) leaving military service have been sexually assaulted.

Additionally, while 40% of sexual assault allegations in the civilian world
are prosecuted, only 8% are prosecuted in the military.



VETERANS WORKING TOGETHER FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE THROUGH NON-VIOLENCE.
Veterans For Peace, 216 S. Meramec, St. Louis, MO 63105, 314-725-6005
www.veteransforpeace.org

[annm4peace]

1. Please call our Representative Today

and please post comment if you do.

there are so many sexual assaults by military members on other military members.

I know of two female veterans who have attempted suicide because of the abuse. One was a gang rape by men in her own unit.

This has to stop