Legislation

7,760

Mission:

We honor, support, and give voice
to the brave men and women in uniform who have been raped or sexually assaulted by fellow service members. We seek to fix the military training, investigation and adjudication systems related to sexual violence, systems that often re-victimize survivors by blaming them while failing to prosecute perpetrators.

Protect Our Defenders is working through every available channel to fix once and for all how the military handles sexual assault and rape. This includes supporting legislation that will change the system for investigating and prosecuting these offenses and legislation that will ensure victims receive appropriate care and protections.

REP. JACKIE SPEIER

H.R. 3435: Sexual Assault Training Oversight and Prevention Act (The STOP Act)

The STOP Act removes authority to investigate MST from the normal chain of command.

The progress made in the civilian world regarding the treatment of sexual assault has not translated to the military world. This legislation aims to fundamentally change how sexual assault is handled in the military, with the goal of dramatically decreasing incidences of sexual assault.

This legislation takes the reporting, oversight, investigation, and victim care of sexual assaults out of the hands of the normal chain of command and places jurisdiction in the hands of an autonomous Sexual Assault Oversight and Response Office. This Office will be comprised of civilian and military experts. The legislation also creates a sexual assault database within DoD that will be required to share information with DoJ civilian sexual offender database.

Detailed summary of H.R. 3435, The STOP Act

REP. BRUCE BRALEY

H.R. 1517: Holley Lynn James Act

This bill would strengthen the legal process for addressing claims of domestic violence and sexual assault in the military and improve policies to prevent sexual assault. The bill would better protect victims’ rights, streamline the way cases are handled, guarantee that experienced prosecutors are handling investigations, and help make sure that punishments fit the crime.

REP. CHELLIE PINGREE

H.R. 930: To amend title 38, United States Code to improve the disability compensation evaluation

This bill would make it easier for veterans who have suffered sexual assault during their military service to get the benefits they deserve. The bill would relax burdensome requirements for proving the occurrence of rape or sexual assault that make it difficult to receive benefits and coverage for their medical care.

REP. NIKI TSONGAS

H.R. 1529: Defense Sexual Trauma Response Oversight and Good Governance Act

This legislation would expand legal rights and protections for service members who have been the victims of sexual assault. Among its main provisions, the legislation would provide the right to a base transfer, maintain confidentiality when speaking with Victim Advocates, and provide greater training for sexual assault prevention and response at every level of our armed services.