Congresswoman Chellie Pingree Asking Pentagon to Preserve Sexual Assault Records

Press Release

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is backing a bill that would require the Department of Defense to preserve records of sexual assault against military personnel. The Support for Survivors Act, which will be introduced today, would replace current Pentagon policy of destroying sexual assault records only a year after the assault is reported.

"We already make it too difficult for veterans who suffer sexual assault to get the benefits they deserve," Pingree said. "Destroying the records of the crime after a year makes the problem worse and just doesn't make any sense."

Earlier this year Pingree, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, introduced a bill that would ease the burden of proof for veterans who were sexually assaulted and are seeking benefits and treatment from the VA.

"I've met with too many veterans who were raped or sexually assaulted but because of the way the system is set up, it has been impossible for them to prove it. These are women and men who have served our country and when they become victims of sexual assault we are letting them down. It's time to fix this system," Pingree said.

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