Congresswoman Jackie Speier

June 21, 2012

Dear Friend,

I am writing to you with a heavy heart about an issue in our military that we must and can fix: sexual assault and rape by other service members. This week, I sent a letter calling for a House Armed Services Committee hearing on a widespread sex scandal at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Four training instructors have been charged with sexual misconduct. One sergeant is charged with sexually assaulting ten trainees, rape, sodomy, and obstruction of justice. An investigation has so far led to the suspension or dismissal of over 30 training instructors at the base, but it is not clear how many were investigated for sexual misconduct.

By their own estimates, the Department of Defense says there were 19,000 cases of military rape or sexual assault in 2010. The military argues that they are successfully dealing with this epidemic, but Lackland is a clear example that that is not the case. Many of you know that I have been working on ending this stain on our armed forces for the last year and a half. Last fall I introduced the STOP Act which would change the way the military handles military rape and sexual assault cases. It would take the process out of the normal chain of command and instead place it in the hands of independent civilian and military experts.

I have been telling stories of survivors on the House Floor. Last week I spoke for the 21st time and described the scandal at Lackland:

This Friday, June 22, 2012 the documentary The Invisible War will debut in four major cities, San Francisco, Los Angeles New York and Washington DC. I will speak at the 7 p.m. screening at the Metreon in San Francisco. I hope you will join me for this important film about the shameful epidemic of rape and sexual assault in the military.

All the best,

jackie