| Sen. Deb Fischer |
Nowhere is trust more important than in the United States military – a unique institution built on the chain-of-command tradition. Young men and women must trust their commanders leading them into battle. They must trust the president, their Commander-in-Chief. They must trust Congress to take seriously the decision to send them into harm’s way. And they must trust their fellow service members in the foxholes.
While the sexual assault crisis in the military is alarming for a number of reasons, the breach of trust is most troubling.
It seems like almost every day, there is another story in the news about sexual violence in the ranks. From service academy dorm rooms to tight submarine quarters, the problem of sexual assault has pervaded almost every aspect of military life. The numbers are staggering. The Pentagon released a report showing that 26,000 military personnel had been the victims of unwanted sexual contact in 2012. In a disturbing twist of irony, we have also discovered that certain sexual assault prevention officers have been accused of the very crimes they are charged with preventing. Unfortunately, crimes are often not reported because victims are embarrassed, or fear retribution. This is unacceptable.
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), I have worked with my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, to address this scourge. Sexual assault in the military is not a gender issue; it is a violence issue. I have stressed this reality throughout all of my efforts.
In early May, I attended a bipartisan White House summit on the issue. Just two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to question top commanders at a landmark sexual assault
hearing. I am pleased to report that the product of this work by the Armed Services Committee is meaningful legislative change that will make a real difference.
On June 13, the Armed Services Committee approved, with my support, the national defense authorization bill – annual legislation that sets funding priorities for the military. This year’s legislation addresses the sexual assault crisis by requiring an independent review of any decisions by commanders not to prosecute sexual assault allegations. It also makes retaliation against victims a crime. I was pleased that two key, bipartisan amendments I cosponsored were also adopted.
The amendment I cosponsored with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) directly bolsters the rights of victims impacted by crimes. Our amendment empowers victims of sexual assault by ensuring they are aware of their basic rights to be informed, present, and heard at critical stages throughout their ordeal. This is the least the system owes to those it failed to protect.
I also worked with Senator Shaheen (D-N.H.) to secure passage of an amendment requiring a higher standard for those appointed to all Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) offices. These SAPR officers are the very individuals charged with
ensuring our men and women in uniform are safe from predators in their own ranks. It’s clear the military is in desperate need of higher caliber individuals in these critical positions.
In addition to addressing sexual assault, the national defense bill more broadly provides our men and women in uniform with the resources they need to fulfill their many missions. Importantly, this year’s bill supports STRATCOM’s vital missions of missile defense and nuclear deterrence. Nebraskans know we live in an increasingly dangerous world, and this bill goes a long way in ensuring our military is ready to meet 21st century challenges.
Congress’s first constitutional charge is providing for the common defense. I take this responsibility very seriously, and I remain committed to ensuring our men and women are the best-equipped, best-trained fighting force in the world. This includes protecting our service members – men and women – from sexual predators. We do that with commonsense policies that promote a culture of mutual respect and accountability. We owe our defenders nothing less.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you
again next week.
Deb Fischer
United States Senator
It seems like almost every day, there is another story in the news about sexual violence in the ranks. From service academy dorm rooms to tight submarine quarters, the problem of sexual assault has pervaded almost every aspect of military life. The numbers are staggering. The Pentagon released a report showing that 26,000 military personnel had been the victims of unwanted sexual contact in 2012. In a disturbing twist of irony, we have also discovered that certain sexual assault prevention officers have been accused of the very crimes they are charged with preventing. Unfortunately, crimes are often not reported because victims are embarrassed, or fear retribution. This is unacceptable.
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), I have worked with my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, to address this scourge. Sexual assault in the military is not a gender issue; it is a violence issue. I have stressed this reality throughout all of my efforts.
In early May, I attended a bipartisan White House summit on the issue. Just two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to question top commanders at a landmark sexual assault
hearing. I am pleased to report that the product of this work by the Armed Services Committee is meaningful legislative change that will make a real difference.
On June 13, the Armed Services Committee approved, with my support, the national defense authorization bill – annual legislation that sets funding priorities for the military. This year’s legislation addresses the sexual assault crisis by requiring an independent review of any decisions by commanders not to prosecute sexual assault allegations. It also makes retaliation against victims a crime. I was pleased that two key, bipartisan amendments I cosponsored were also adopted.
The amendment I cosponsored with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) directly bolsters the rights of victims impacted by crimes. Our amendment empowers victims of sexual assault by ensuring they are aware of their basic rights to be informed, present, and heard at critical stages throughout their ordeal. This is the least the system owes to those it failed to protect.
I also worked with Senator Shaheen (D-N.H.) to secure passage of an amendment requiring a higher standard for those appointed to all Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) offices. These SAPR officers are the very individuals charged with
ensuring our men and women in uniform are safe from predators in their own ranks. It’s clear the military is in desperate need of higher caliber individuals in these critical positions.
In addition to addressing sexual assault, the national defense bill more broadly provides our men and women in uniform with the resources they need to fulfill their many missions. Importantly, this year’s bill supports STRATCOM’s vital missions of missile defense and nuclear deterrence. Nebraskans know we live in an increasingly dangerous world, and this bill goes a long way in ensuring our military is ready to meet 21st century challenges.
Congress’s first constitutional charge is providing for the common defense. I take this responsibility very seriously, and I remain committed to ensuring our men and women are the best-equipped, best-trained fighting force in the world. This includes protecting our service members – men and women – from sexual predators. We do that with commonsense policies that promote a culture of mutual respect and accountability. We owe our defenders nothing less.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you
again next week.
Deb Fischer
United States Senator
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