The Congressional Women’s Caucus will hold a public hearing Wednesday on Capitol Hill to deepen the government’s inquiry into how the military responds to sexual assault allegations – in part by seeking testimony from victims.
Leaders of the bipartisan caucus also plan to question civilian experts about how the military has handled sex-abuse cases, including those of women who have recently been raped while serving in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Two former soldiers are expected to testify anonymously.
“Many victims in the military have had to stick it out, hoping against reprisal,” said Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., co-chairwoman of the caucus. “That’s not how it should be. These are crimes, and they have to be dealt with properly.”
In recent months, more than 100 women serving in combat-support roles have reported being assaulted by fellow service members, complaining about lax services and poor investigations that have not led to prosecution of their attackers.
That is part of a larger pattern throughout the armed services, The Denver Post found in a series of investigative articles that prompted the congressional hearings as well as a series of internal military inquiries.
The hearing is the second in Congress this year, following a Senate subcommittee in February that heard testimony from victim advocates and generals representing each branch of the service. In addition to victims, the caucus will hear testimony from experts, such as Scott Berkowitz, head of Rape Abuse & Incest National Network, and Christine Hansen, executive director of the Miles Foundation, which aids military victims.
Though the women’s caucus is a political coalition, not a formal unit of Congress, it occasionally convenes hearings to boost awareness of women’s issues. Last year, the caucus organized a hearing into whether opportunities are being eroded for women in collegiate athletics.
One of the most pressing issues now before the caucus, according to Rep. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, the Republican co-chairwoman, is whether vital services and opportunities for military women are being eroded.
“We’re really hoping to get a closer picture of what our women are facing, how to get support to women and men and also see what kind of obstacles they face,” Capito said.
Caucus members say they feel strongly that victims should have a voice in the ongoing congressional investigation.
Slaughter is asking sexual-assault victims concerned about the handling of their cases to fax written testimony to her office. Statements should be addressed to Julia Ernst: 202-225-7822.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga, who heads the Senate’s investigation, so far has declined to call victims to testify. But he hasn’t ruled them out as witnesses in future proceedings.
Sally Fictum, a former Marine who was raped while serving overseas 10 years ago, praised the caucus for seeking victims’ accounts. Fictum’s attacker admitted to raping her during a polygraph examination, military records show. His commander refused to prosecute him, instead punishing Fictum.
“This finally gives us an opportunity to speak out when we were silenced for so many years,” Fictum said.
The caucus hearing will start at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Room 2203 of the Rayburn Building.
Miles Moffeit can be reached at 303-820-1415 or mmoffeit@denverpost.com.
