Protect Our Troops: Pass the Sexual Assault Training Oversight and Prevention Act
22,948 signatures toward our 25,000 Goal
Sponsor: The Veterans Site
We must change the environment in the military to encourage sexual abuse victims to report their crimes.
Imagine: you've joined the military to serve your country, to further your education, or to gain personal growth. You begin your journey with excitement and anticipation. But you are rudely awakened when you encounter instances of sexual abuse during your service.
Sadly, hundreds of thousands of women and men are sexually assaulted during their service terms. All too often these crimes go undocumented, and sometimes the victims are even punished for reporting them. By the Department of Defense's own calculations, 86% of sexual assaults went unreported in 2010 alone. A recent report estimated a 35 percent increase in the number of "unwanted sexual contact" incidents in the military in 2012.
As it is now, the military environment isn't conducive to addressing instances of sexual abuse. That's why we need legislation such as the Sexual Assault Training Oversight and Prevention Act (H.R. 1593), which would improve the prevention of and response to sexual assault in the Armed Forces.
Sign your name in support of making the military safer for our service members!
Sexual assault within military ranks is a complex issue, entrenched in several existing institutions. Looking for other ways to help? Try one of the other petitions below:
Just as we have a national registry for civilian sex offenders, we need to have a similar one for those in the military. Join us in calling on the Department of Defense to create such a registry.
The instance of sexual abuse facing female veterans at VA facilities is on the rise Tell the VA it needs to redesign its policies to support sexual abuse victims!
The Petition:
Dear Senator Mitch McConnell:
Individuals go into the military for myriad reasons — to pursue a career, personal growth, etc — but no one joins the Armed Services in anticipation of being sexually assaulted.
Not only have hundreds of thousands of men and women been sexually abused during their time in the service, but over 85% of those assaults went unreported. And the military environment doesn't make it easy for victims to report crimes. In fact, sometimes victims are even punished for attempting to publicize the crime.
We need to create an environment where sexual abuse can be discussed openly and victims can find support when they need it. Turning our backs on those who have stepped up for their country is detrimental to the military as well as society.
Please lend your support to H.R. 1593, the Sexual Assault Training Oversight and Prevention Act, which would improve the prevention of and response to sexual assault in the Armed Forces.
Thank you.
