Oversight Hearing on Sexual Assault in the Military
The Oversight Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs held a hearing Thursday, July 31, 2008, on “Sexual Assault in the Military.” Those testifying include members of Congress, victims and family members, Department of Defense, U.S. Army, and GAO.
Hearing clips via US Speaker of the House of Representatives website.
Testimony of Congresswoman Jane Harman representing California 36th District.
“Women serving in the US military today are more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire in Iraq. The scope of the problem was brought into acute focus for me during a visit to the West Los Angeles VA Health Center where I met female veterans and their doctors. My jaw dropped when the doctors told me that 41% of the female veterans seen there say there were victims of sexual assault while serving in the military, and 29% said they were raped during their military service.”
Subcommittee Chairman Tierney and Full Committee Chairman Waxman threaten Michael Dominguez, Principal Deputy Undersecretary for Defense, with contempt after he reveals that he has ordered Dr. Kaye Whitley of the DOD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office to defy a subpoena to appear.
The Oversight Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs web page for the hearing includes the written testimony of the witnesses and can can found here.
