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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 23, 2024 02:38 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Katie J. Muth and Sen. Lindsey M. Williams |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Recognizing “Military Sexual Trauma Survivor Week” in Pennsylvania |
| In the near future, we plan to introduce a Senate Resolution recognizing the week of October 13 through October 19, 2024, as Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Survivor Week in Pennsylvania. The resolution, drafted by two veterans and survivors of military sexual assault, has been previously introduced each year since 2020 and regularly has several bipartisan cosponsors. Just last year, a House companion resolution introduced by Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz was adopted by a 202-1 vote. The Senate, however, has not considered our MST Survivor Week resolution, a resolution to designate April as MST Awareness Month, or Senate Bill 924 which would designate November 9 of each year as MST Awareness Day in Pennsylvania. The Department of Defense (DoD) Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military showed 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. 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. |
Memo Updated: September 23, 2024 02:39 PM