To: The United States Senate
Raped in the U.S. Military: Protect Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma
The U.S. Senate must act swiftly to pass the Military Justice Improvement Act (MJIA).
Why is this important?
According to estimates from the Department of Defense, 19,000 service men and women are sexually assaulted while serving in the United States military every year. But 86% of them never report their assault—too often because seeking justice threatens their safety, their job security, and their future.
Sexual assault and rape in the military are no longer view as gender specific issues, rather it is a abuse of power which we must put a stop to! It’s time to take action and ensure survivors of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) are not invisible and receive the justice they deserve.
Survivors should never suffer retaliation for speaking up and rape, harassment or sexual assault should never be an “occupational hazard.”
Only Congress can change the UCMJ to create a real, working system for prosecuting sexual predators in the military – and ultimately putting an end to Military Sexual Trauma.
Join the movement on social media, #MetooMilitary
For more information please visit: www.MetooMilitarymvmt.org
Authors
Trina McDonald, Heath Phillips and Stacey Thompson
Co-author: Common Defense