Study: Troops Now More Willing to Report Sexual Assaults

Press Release

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement regarding media reports that members of the military are more willing to report sexual assaults then they were a year ago, following reforms Fischer championed last year.

"This report indicates that more people are coming forward and the number of assaults is coming down. That is welcome news for our service members and our nation," Fischer Said. "We are headed in the right direction. However, our work is not yet done. We must continue our efforts to curb sexual assault in the ranks. I am encouraged that the Victims Protection Act, a bill to further empower victims and hold perpetrators responsible, was included in the upcoming national defense reauthorization bill."

Fischer and senators Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) introduced the Victims Protection Act to boost victims' rights and provide greater accoutability for offenders. This legislative effort is included in the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and builds on the historic reforms the trio championed in last year's NDAA.

Source