Pushing Against The Gates

One of the more memorable speeches at the MLK “I Have a Dream” speech and the March on Washington celebration this year, came from former President Bill Clinton. Urging all American's to fight on for the causes of civil liberty and justice, he said, "We must put out shoulders to the gates and push against those stubborn gates that hold America back."
I just finished reading several reports from news sources which claim a victory on the fight of sexual assault and rape in the military.

Senate Vote 84-15 On Sexual Assault Provisions

"The Senate voted 84-15 Thursday night for the legislation, which capped a year-long campaign led by the women of the Senate to address the scourge of rape and sexual assault in the ranks." The Associated Press, December 20, 2013

This, of course, is not the ultimate victory that many of us are are hoping for, which would be ushered in by the Gillibrand Bill, The Military Justice Improvement Act, but it seems like a push against that stubborn wall of Justice for Survivors and their families. The MJIA proposal would give sexual assault victims access to advocacy outside of the chain of command. History has shown that when cases of sexual assault and rape are reported within the chain of command, very little to nothing has been done to either investigate the alleged crime, or present a strong advocacy for the ones reporting the alleged incident. In fact anywhere within the CC, from the immediate supervisors, to base commanders view those reporting the incident as trouble makers. They have attempted to do damage control within their ranks by saying anything from, "You're the problem" or "you miss understood his intentions. I will concede that his actions were not those of a gentleman, but this was not rape." This is the sort of outrageous behavior that our military leaders have displayed in the face of a crime that give us as a country an un-washable stain.
The 84-15 vote includes measures that would force military leaders to comply within the laws and report and act, excluded Senator Gillibrand's bill. And in a way I am thankful. It seems like with this package of goodies that is the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2014, the Military Justice Improvement Act (MJIA) would have gotten lost in the deep weeds.

Separate Is Better 

The NDAA-2014 is suppose to handle how the Pentagon handles sexual assault cases. Which frankly disquiets me. Unbelievably we are putting the same men with perhaps a new system back in charge of how sexual assault cases. Again, it's like hiring wolves to do a sheep dog's job.
The downside to this whole dilemma is that we will have to wait (hopefully only as long as January) for Senator Gilldibrand's bill to be voted on. The big problem has been not only the rape itself, but the retaliation when an assault is reported. Therefore many have not reported the incidents for (in my opinion) very justified reasons. Apparently reporting your assailant in the Chain of Command and hoping for justice, is like walking off a steep building, and hoping gravity will cancel itself just for you. What are the chances?

An incensed Senator speaks with Secretary Michael B. Donely on the original numbers of reported cases in 2011 and plus the recent scandal of an Air Force Officer Jeffrey Krusinski, the sexual assault

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Faces off
on Sexual Assaults

prevention officer, accused of sexual assault himself against a civilian.
"If the man in charge of training for the Air Force-- in preventing sexual assault--- is being alleged to have committed a sexual assault-- obviously there is a failing in training and understanding-- of what sexual assault is.  Of how corrosive and damaging, sexually assault is to good order and discipline-- and how it is undermining the credibility of the greatest military force in the world!"

AF Chief Gen. Mark A. Welsh III
 Secretary Michael B.Donely 

Both the Secretary and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III had contended that to maintain good order and discipline, that sexual assault cases must not be taken out of the chain of command. I found it fascinating that the General argued numbers with the Senator, and that this crisis must be studied. Have you ever been in a crisis reader? Do you want someone to study your situation? Of course not! You want action. As I blog this, someone is being assaulted by someone in their own ranks. This matter has been studied to death at the expense of young men and women who we send into the armed forces. I understand the need for analysis. But first pull your people out of the inferno and then study the situation. Analysis is part of the preventative process to correct the situation. But Lives are being destroyed because there are serial predators in the ranks. 

So for now the Gillibrand Bill sits alone. It's not part of the National Defense Authorization Act. And somehow I'm happy because my gut tells me that it will stand alone as a bright shining piece of legislation for 2014. This means we still have time to write, call, Facebook, or Tweet our Representatives and Senators. This is not a politically partisan issue. It's a human rights issue that is worth fighting for.
 http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
http://www.opencongress.org/people/zipcodelookup

Their Shoulders To The Stubborn Gates

I am very grateful that there are more women in Congress. The ladies such as Rep. Jackie Speier, Barbara Boxer, Diane Feinstein and Senator Gillabrand. Thank you all for you support and encouraging words that have helped to keep on the course of this fight.  You're making a difference in the Senate. Yes, education and experience is essential, but thank you for not sitting on the side-lines or taking a back seat to the boys when the job has to be done. We need your compassion too, as well as your ability to stay in touch with people. A special shout out to Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand, for leading a Bi-Partisan team to get the job done. Enjoy your time with your families and loved ones.

My Christmas Wish

Christmas Wishes for all of the survivors of Military Sexual Trauma. I pray for your peace at the end of
2013. The fight has been a long one, but you are loved by many of us, and you are not forgotten. A special Christmas greeting for the families of fallen soldiers in this Invisible War including John and Linda Johnson.

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