DeLauro, Pingree, Tsongas Help Ensure Military Sex Assault Victims Have Access to Accurate Records

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), ChelliePingree (D-ME) and Niki Tsongas (D-MA) announced today that their amendmentensuring military victims of sexual assault have access to accurate recordswill be part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill isexpected to pass the House of Representatives later this morning.

"We must turn the tide against this scourge of sexualassault, but we must also ensure we are caring for those who have already beenvictims of this violence," DeLauro said. "Currently, Veterans Affairs providersoften only receive Defense Department records if the veteran brings them.Further, those records often do not document sexual assaults that occurredwhile on active duty. Long-term preservation of these records can help veteransseek necessary assistance. We ask a lot of the men and women who serve in ourArmed Forces. The least we can do to honor their service is provide them withthe care and benefits they need."

Pingree said: "Time and time again we have heardfrom survivors of sexual assault who have run into a brick wall when they tryto claim the benefits they are owed. Lost records or insufficient recordsare used as an excuse to deny benefits that a veteran has earned, and it's timeto make sure the Department of Defense starts doing a better job preservingpersonnel records and making them available to veterans."

"Sexual assault in the military pervades our ranks andaccountability is needed at every level, from the top down, active duty andveterans. Aftercare for the men and women who serve our nation is a vital partof supporting sexual assault survivors, and streamlining access to records is amuch-needed part of that process. We have a responsibility to provide veteranswho have endured this horrific crime with the best resources and an effectivesystem," said Tsongas

The amendment requires each branch of the armed services toreport to Congress on steps taken to ensure the retention of—and accessto—evidence and records relating to sexual assaults. They also must includewhat steps are being taken to ensure those records are transmitted to theDepartment of Veterans Affairs. The issue was raised with DeLauro by staff atthe West Haven, CT veterans' hospital, where they have been dealing with thisproblem.