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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 13, 2024 03:30 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Designating October 13-19, 2024, as “Military Sexual Trauma Survivor Week” in Pennsylvania |
| According to the 2023 Department of Defense (DOD) annual report on sexual assault in the military, more than 8,500 reports of sexual assault were made. Of these reports, 75% were from women and approximately 25% were from men. Women are a minority in our Armed Forces, yet there is a high rate of women experiencing sexual harassment and unwanted sexual contact in our military. In recent years, however, more than 100,000 men have reported sexual assault in the military, proving this problem does not only affect women. Sexual assault victims often express feelings of shame and fear of demotion or discharge from the military after their assault. This contributes to a lack of reporting the DOD references within their annual reports. The DOD notes that the alignment of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) policy with a culture of promoting transparency and prioritizing victim assistance in our military has encouraged more members of the armed forces to come forward and report assaults. Our military members risk their lives to protect us and this great nation. I believe we should also be protecting them, which is why my resolution will designate the week of October 13 to 19, 2024, as “Military Sexual Trauma Survivor Week” in Pennsylvania. Shedding light onto experiences of sexual misconduct is one way we can combat assault, begin an open conversation, and show support to those who experience sexual assault at the hands of fellow service members. Please consider co-sponsoring this resolution to join me in standing up against sexual assault in the military and lending a helping hand to those who experience trauma. |
Introduced as HR548