SAN MATEO, CA - Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) will announce new legislation to fundamentally change how sexual assault is handled in the military, with the goal of bringing an end to this shameful and pervasive stain on our armed forces. Nancy Parrish, President of Protect Our Defenders and speaker, will announce a new national organization, website and campaign dedicated to giving voice to the survivors of rape and sexual assault and bringing this issue to the forefront. The press conference will feature graphic accounts of service women and men raped by fellow members of the military who were never punished for their crime.
 
According to the Department of Defense, 19,000 incidents of sexual assault occurred in the military in 2010, yet only 13.5% of those were reported.

Speier stated, “We owe our brave women and men in the military a justice process that protects them, not punishes them when they become victims of sexual violence by other service members.”

Congresswoman Speier has drawn attention to this crisis by telling the story of a military rape victim every week on the House floor. To date she has given 11 such speeches which can be viewed here.

Who:  
Congresswoman Jackie Speier
Nancy Parrish, President Protect Our Defenders
Military Rape Victims

What:  
Press Conference

When:   
Thursday, November 17, 2011
9:45 am ET   

Where:   
National Press Club
First Amendment Room
529 14th Street Northwest, 13th Floor
Washington, DC 20045

“If I told them that my house was broken into not one person would question me, blame me or say that I am lying, but when I say that my body was broken into people automatically feel that they have the right to judge me, doubt me, and blame me.” -- Seaman Panayiota Bertzikis served in the Coast Guard from November 2005 until May 2007.