U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss pledged Monday to fully investigate how the military handles domestic and sexual violence cases but stopped short of committing to full hearings on the issue.
Chambliss, a Georgia Republican, made his promise after meeting with a group of five female veterans who detailed how the military mistreated them following their attacks. The women visited Capitol Hill as part of a national effort by victim advocates and crisis networks this week to urge Congress to convene public hearings.
“This is an issue that we are going to take head-on,” Chambliss said in a written statement that also commended the women for their courage in speaking out. “We will do our homework, investigate and get the full scope of this systemic problem. “
Sen. John Warner, R-Va., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called last week for an investigation of issues raised in a series of reports by The Denver Post. Chambliss heads the subcommittee that would look into the problems.
Beth Hills, a civilian military- family advocate who arranged meetings between victims and lawmakers through today said she was grateful senators met with the women. “But we are deeply disappointed that they won’t commit to hearings,” Hills said. “We have been waiting for this dialogue for a long time.”
Chambliss said he wants to understand the “full scope of the problem” before deciding about hearings.
Hills’ effort coincided with a phone campaign initiated by the Miles Foundation and other victim-advocacy groups to lobby Congress for aggressive steps toward changes in the military justice code and improvements in services for victims. Hills said she soon will post a website petition calling for changes
The Post found the military routinely fails to prosecute domestic and sexual assault offenders while creating obstacles for victims to pursue justice.
Pentagon officials told The Post that it is “premature” to make sweeping changes.
On Monday, Hills’ group met with others in Congress including Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., and Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass. cq
“I’m speechless, emotionally drained,” said Sharon Mixon, who says a military police officer ignored her rape report 12 years ago. “Some really strong, phenomenal women are speaking out and we feel Congress will have to take notice. We don’t want future women to go through this.”
Since The Post series was published Nov. 16-18, 70 women who read it sought help from the Miles Foundation, a national organization providing advocates and legal advice to military victims.
“We are trying to reassure victims that they are not alone, that we stand with them and for them,” said executive director Christine Hansencq. “We are trying to form our own army to reform this system. Our main strategy is to get hearings.”
