April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Press Release

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released the following statement for April's Sexual Assault Awareness Month:

Sexual assault continues to be a tragic and pervasive problem in this country--1 in 5 women in America have suffered rape or attempted rape in their lifetime and 1 in 10 rape victims are men. It's critical that we do all we can to support survivors, hold rapists accountable, and prevent these assaults from happening. We all have a part to play in creating a culture that accepts nothing less than total respect for each other and has zero tolerance for rape, sexual harassment, or threats.

I've gained a new appreciation for this issue since working to reform policies to prevent sexual assault in the military and help survivors. Like with all sexual assault victims, the hardships for these men and women only begin with their rapes. They continue to suffer years and decades afterward from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. It's absolutely tragic to see how these assaults have made their lives so challenging in so many ways, which is why it's imperative to make sure they can get the help they need.

I appreciate all the people and organizations in Maine who work so hard to support survivors and prevent sexual assaults. I hope we all take this month as an opportunity to join them in their efforts.

Pingree has introduced the Ruth Moore Act of 2013 to make it easier for military sexual trauma survivors to claim disability benefits from the VA. It is named for Maine veteran Ruth Moore, who had to fight for 23 years to get disability benefits for PTSD caused by being sexually assaulted during her service.

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