Commending Secretary Kerry's New Policy to Deny Visas to Perpetrators of Sexual Violence

Floor Speech

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Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the action taken by Secretary of State John Kerry and U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague to deny visas to perpetrators of sexual violence in times of armed conflict. This announcement sends a clear signal to sexual offenders and enablers of sexual violence that the United States will not tolerate these depraved acts.

Secretaries Kerry and Hague were joined by the U.S. Ambassador-at-large for global women's issues, Catherine Russell; the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration, Anne Richard; and United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zanaib Bangura in announcing this policy and shining a light on the sensitive yet urgent topic of rape and sexual violence as a tool of war.

Since my days in the Massachusetts state legislature and then as District Attorney, I have been a staunch supporter for survivors and victims of sexual assault. I brought this passion to Washington, where I have been proud to support passage of legislation that would strengthen whistleblower protections for those who report sexual assaults in the military, and have consistently worked to protect essential programs that serve victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including the Violence Against Women Act and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act. And, as co-chair of the Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus, I have worked to ensure that military service victims' rights are protected through access to legal assistance and expedited transfers from his or her attacker.

Secretary Kerry has exhibited commendable leadership on this issue, and I look forward to working with him, the State Department, the Department of Defense, and our global counterparts to end this culture of negligence that exists within our armed services and create a safe and transparent environment.

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