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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 7, 2023 04:01 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Katie J. Muth and Sen. Lindsey M. Williams, Sen. Tracy Pennycuick |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Resolution Recognizing “Military Sexual Trauma Survivor Week” in Pennsylvania |
| In the near future, we plan to introduce a Senate Resolution recognizing the week of October 15th through the 21st as Military Sexual Trauma Survivor Week in Pennsylvania. The resolution, drafted by two veterans and survivors of military sexual assault, has been previously introduced each year since 2020. The Department of Defense (DoD) Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military shows in stark detail that sexual assault and sexual harassment remain persistent and distressing problems in our military. The report, required annually by Congress, indicated that over 8 percent of active-duty women and about 1.5 percent of active-duty men indicated experiencing some form of unwanted sexual contact in the year before the survey was conducted. In 2021, survey results also found that Service women experienced more sexual harassment, and men and women alike experienced greater workplace hostility than findings from only three years prior. The report indicated that service member sexual assault reports increased by 13 percent in 2021 compared to 2020. While those statistics are harrowing, not every victim of sexual assault or sexual harassment comes forward to report. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization, estimates that there are 18,900 members of the military who experience unwanted sexual contact annually. For those who choose to report the assault, it can be a very difficult and isolating path to walk, often alone or with little support. In today's military, rape culture is an epidemic; and all too often our survivors are forgotten. Many of the survivors, prior to being assaulted, had dreams of serving for 20+ years and were happy in their workplace. Experiencing sexual violence takes that future and security away. While some may choose to stay in the military, the psychological impact of the assault and resulting trauma can push survivors out of the service and lead to tremendous difficulty readjusting to their civilian lives. It is not just the assault that is traumatic, but everything that follows. We hope that by highlighting this epidemic, we can begin a conversation at the state-level to bring about meaningful change and healing to those affected by military sexual trauma. In Pennsylvania, local Vet Centers and VA Medical Centers are able to offer resources for those that survived military sexual trauma. Please click here to find your local Vet Center, or here to contact a VA Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator. Also please refer to the RISE: Veterans website for upcoming events and resources for the survivor community. We must honor the strength, resolve, and perseverance of these survivors and work urgently to end sexual violence in the military and all around the world. Please join us in acknowledging these service members by co-sponsoring this important resolution. |
Introduced as SR83
Memo Updated: March 7, 2023 04:07 PM