McCollum Responds to Pentagon Report on Sexual Assault

Washington, DC – In response to a new report released this week by the Pentagon on sexual assault in the military that indicates a 50% increase in reported assaults over the 2013, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) released the following statement:

“The findings in this week’s report expose a sexual assault crisis in the Armed Forces that is profoundly disturbing and a threat to national security. While some may attempt to portray the spike in reported cases of sexual assault as evidence that new reporting measures are working, what this data really shows is a wide spread problem of sexual predators in uniform.

“Reporting acts of sexual assault and sexual violence in the military is merely the first step. What is most important is justice for victims and the toughest possible penalties for perpetrators. Of the more than 5,000 cases of sexual assault that were reported last year, fewer than 500 went to trial. This is unacceptable.

“The process for dealing with rape and sexual assault after they are reported remains broken. There is still no clear path within this current system towards justice and restitution for the victims, or accountability for the attackers. We must take these cases outside of the military chain of command in order to ensure a transparent process that works towards justice for all victims of these heinous crimes.

“I will continue to do all that I can in my role on the appropriations committee to provide the resources necessary to address this epidemic of sexual violence. Secretary Hagel and Chairman Dempsey have personally assured me this issue is a top priority for them. I intend to hold them and all military commanders accountable.”

Congresswoman Betty McCollum serves on the House Appropriations Committee. She is Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus.