Thank you Mr. Chairman,

I welcome our witnesses to this important hearing to discuss matters concerning military sexual trauma.

Occurrences of sexual assault within the ranks of our military are completely unacceptable.

It saddens me to think that anyone who volunteers to protect our nation through service in the armed forces would ever have to contemplate being harmed by a fellow servicemember.

But our military is a microcosm of society-- and crimes that occur in society unfortunately also occur in the military--so we must face reality and address the problems that arise.

First, it should be made clear through training at every level and to every servicemember that sexual offenses will not be tolerated and that perpetrators will be punished to the fullest extent under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Second, the military services should follow through and ensure that justice is rendered in cases involving sexual assault.

And I would also add that the military must thoroughly investigate and prosecute false accusers of sexual assault who work to the detriment of those individuals who really are victims of sexual assault.

While it is important that we deliberate on the very serious topic of military sexual trauma, I want to also make very clear that this is not an indictment of our military as a whole.

There are those with anti-military views who would try to use incidences involving sexual assault to depict our entire military as a bunch of violent misogynists.

Doing so would be a vulgar smear against the heroes this committee serves.

I’m sure the families of the young men who died in Afghanistan this past week during the attack on Bagram (bah-GRAHM') Air Field would find such a generalization offensive, and I share their perspective.

The vast majority of the men and women who volunteer for military service are honorable and patriotic individuals who courageously stand to defend our country and other countries from tyranny.

They are some of our bravest citizens who abhor bullies and the type of individuals who would commit such a repugnant crime as sexual assault.

As far as this topic pertains to VA benefits, I believe the Department has the proper rules in place for adjudicating and rating sexual trauma cases.

Title 38 United States Code section 1154 provides VA the authority to give proper consideration to the time, place and circumstances, of service when determining eligibility to compensation.

This means that VA must consider non-specific, but corroborating pieces of evidence when considering claims based on sexual assault.

As some of our witnesses point out—this does not always occur and VA should address this shortcoming through training to ensure proper consideration is afforded to every claim.

I appreciate the DAV’s point that VA should be able to access the restricted DOD records documenting reports of sexual trauma.

I look forward to learning whether such a policy is in place or being established to secure such records. 

I want to thank all of our witnesses for their participation and their testimony, and I look forward to our discussion today. 

Mr. Chairman, I yield back.