Inspector General Investigation of Allegations of Retaliatory Personnel Action Taken in Response to Making Protected Communications Regarding Sexual Assault

Floor Speech

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Mr. TURNER. Madam Speaker, in 2008, Maria Lauterbach, a female marine from my community, stepped forward to report a sexual assault from another marine. She was subsequently viciously murdered by the accused. Her mother, Mary Lauterbach, took up the issue of sexual assault in the military, and I have worked with her since 2008 on legislative solutions and in trying to change the culture in the military.

With that, I rise today in support of H.R. 1864, the work of Representative Sanchez and Representative Walorski, as part of that effort for us to change the culture and to provide the tools to victims in the military.

The problem in the military with sexual assault is clear: victims feel revictimized by the system, and perpetrators feel safe. Our efforts legislatively are to change that dynamic in which perpetrators feel unsafe so that we can rise to the level of preventing sexual assaults and, of course, to rally around victims so they feel safe.

Last year, I had the opportunity to attend a breakfast at the Commandant of the Marines' home to discuss the issue of sexual assault in the military. During that breakfast, a female marine, a lieutenant colonel, spoke up and admitted that if she were sexually assaulted that she would not report it. She said the cost in the military is just too high. No one should serve in the military and feel as if one who is subject to a crime is less secure if one steps forward and reports it, especially a crime as heinous as sexual assault.

H.R. 1864 will strengthen military whistleblower protection laws by requiring that victims of sexual assault are protected from punishment or reprisal for reporting their attacks. Through the passage of this bipartisan legislation, introduced by Congresswomen Walorski and Sanchez, Congress has the opportunity to take the necessary step in providing victims with the confidence, assurance, and peace of mind that they cannot be threatened or punished for reporting a sexual assault.

Recently, the Department of Defense indicated through a survey that 62 percent of those who reported a sexual assault felt that they were punished in the

workplace for doing so by both their superiors and their fellow coworkers. This bill will add that additional protection in which they can feel safe once they report the crimes and as they move forward through prosecution.

I applaud Representatives Sanchez and Walorski for bringing this forward. Everyone should support H.R. 1864

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