Sexual Assaults that occur in the Military have been more prevalent with an increase from 19, 000 in 2010 to an astonishing 26,000 assaults in 2012. This is unacceptable by anyone’s standards especially in regards to our service men and women that serve our Country. Some Congressmen have seen this issue and have recognized that there is a problem and something needs to be done.
Montana’s congressmen are working hard to try and send out a message that this behavior is not acceptable nor will it be tolerated. Two of the major issues that they are focusing on are that of trying to put a stop to Military Commanders that either wont or refuse to prosecute sexual assault cases and the other is trying to make it easier to help those who have suffered from a sexual trauma to be able to receive and have access to health benefits that are received by combat veterans.
Congress is seeking to pass legislation that includes the Ruth Moore Act and the Combating Military Sexual Assault Act. These are two major legislation acts that are very serious and much needed. The Ruth Moore Act was named after a Veteran from Maine who was enlisted in the Navy and raped twice. Not only did she have to endure the rape but then was also a victim of someone who never saw justice in her case. Her rapist was never punished, disciplined or even charged with the crime. If that wasn’t bad enough Ms. Moore then had to fight for 20 years in order to try and receive benefits from the Veterans Affairs benefits.
Veteran’s who have endured this treatment while in service have a very hard time trying to get approved for benefits once they are out of service. It is a problem because a lot of times there may not be the medical linkage due to a victim not wanting to report the rape, so there is no in service connection. This injustice must stop and veterans must receive the justice they deserve. It is never right for anyone to suffer a sexual assault, but it is even more horrific when that assault is compounded by an ongoing assault of fighting for benefits arising from the original wrong.
