Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand says that despite rare bipartisan backing, “four men, in a closed room” blocked long-sought changes to how the military handles sexual assault and other major justice issues.
Military Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is a pervasive, deeply-rooted epidemic in the U.S. military, with women experiencing the brunt.
U.S. Military’s Male-Dominated Culture Harms More Than Just Women
Major gender gaps persist in the U.S. armed forces, negatively impacting operational effectiveness, military culture and compliance with international law, according to a report released by the Georgetown Institute for Women Peace and Security.
To ensure women’s meaningful participation, the report suggests that women must be promoted to leadership positions and their input must be valued. To do so, the military must adopt better and more complete childcare and parental leave policies and decouple physical fitness standards from advancement.
As a Woman Researcher, I Experienced the Harassment and Silencing of the Women Soldiers I Interviewed
Women peacekeepers are being asked to increase the security for women civilians in conflict zones—yet women peacekeepers are being sexually harassed and assaulted by men in their own militaries. How can the U.N. Security Council stand by its call to troop contributing countries to increase the numbers of women peacekeepers they are deploying, when they can’t keep them safe?
New Biden Executive Order Marks a Historic Change in the Handling of Military Sexual Assault
President Biden signed an executive order implementing sweeping changes to the way the military justice system handles sexual assault cases. The reform “transfers key decision-making authorities from commanders to specialized, independent military prosecutors in cases of sexual assault, domestic violence, murder, and other serious offenses.” The initiative, which consistently wins bipartisan support, is “the most significant transformation of the military justice system since … 1950,” according to the White House.
The reform effort has been led by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and other survivors, advocates and members of Congress. “While it will take time to see the results of these changes,” said Gillibrand, “these measures will instill more trust, professionalism and confidence in the system.”
Female Cadets at VMI Still Experience Male Hostility, Harassment and Racism Over 20 Years After Being Ordered to Integrate
A new report concludes that “institutional racism and sexism are present, tolerated and left unaddressed at VMI. The racist and misogynistic acts and outcomes uncovered during this investigation are disturbing.”
Bipartisan Legislation Marks a Turning Point for Military Sexual Assault
Vanessa Guillén’s case has become a turning point in the long campaign to address sexual assault in the military. The case moved Republican Senator Joni Ernst to join Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to introduce the Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act.
Military Interference in Sexual Assault Case of Captain Erin Scanlon at Fort Bragg
The U.S. Army is still failing in its responsibility to investigate and prosecute sexual harassment and assault charges brought by Captain Erin Scanlon.
Months after her alleged rapist was acquitted, Scanlon filed a claim against the Army on grounds that her case was mishandled at Fort Bragg. The military denied the claim, citing the controversial Feres Doctrine, which prevents those who are injured as a result of military service from suing the government.
The Military Failed Vanessa Guillen and Others. It Must Do Better.
Right before her death, Vanessa Guillén told her family that she had been sexually harassed by superiors. She didn’t report it, fearing retribution. Reporting sexual harassment and sexual assaults in the military goes up the chain of command—particularly useless if the perpetrator is a superior.
Since Guillén’s murder was confirmed, current and past service members who experienced sexual assault and harassment have shared their own stories with the viral #IAmVanessaGuillen.
Rest In Power: Demanding Justice for Vanessa Guillen
Vanessa Guillén was a 20-year-old soldier for the United States Army who mysteriously disappeared from the Texas Fort Hood Army Base on April 22—after disclosing information of sexual harassment.
Vanessa’s story is creating a #MeToo moment for the military. There must be a congressional investigation into her disappearance and likely, death.