Statement by the President on Department of Defense Initiatives to Combat Sexual Assault in the Military

 

 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release

April 23, 2012

I applaud the initiatives that Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta and General Martin Dempsey, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have announced to further combat sexual assault in the military. The men and women of the United States military deserve an environment that is free from the threat of sexual assault, and in which allegations of sexual assault are thoroughly investigated, offenders are held appropriately accountable, and victims are given the care and support they need. Elevating these cases to a higher level of command review is a very important step. I believe that sexual assault has no place in our military. I thank Secretary Panetta and Chairman Dempsey and look forward to seeing continued progress on this important issue.

Link to the Official White House Statement

 

Combating Sexual Assault in the United States Military

Department of Defense Initiatives to Combat Sexual Assault in the Military

Panetta, Dempsey Announce Initiatives to Stop Sexual Assault

 

Presidential Proclamation — National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, 2012

Presidential Proclamation — National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, 2012

Why Stopping Rape in the Military Is a Tough Sell

 

Rep. Jackie Speier explains that it’s an epidemic, and it’s not just a women’s issue

Kira Zalan
U.S. News
March 13, 2012

Reports show that the frequency of sexual assaults and rape in the military may be as high as twice the national average. In January, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta called the problem a top priority and announced initiatives to address it. But Rep. Jackie Speier says the efforts do not get to the core of the problem—the military’s chain-of-command culture. The two-term Democrat from California has introduced legislation that would challenge that culture by creating an autonomous office to deal with sexual assault cases. Speier recently spoke with U.S. News about the challenges of dealing with sexual assault in the military, her STOP (Sexual Assault Training Oversight and Prevention) Act, and why the bill is a “tough sell.”

 

To read excerpts of the interview at the U.S. News web site, click here.

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