Report slams flaws in DoD sex assault program

Report slams flaws in DoD sex assault program

By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Dec 5, 2009 8:22:44 EST

The Pentagon office charged with oversight of military sexual assault prevention and response policy is not doing an effective job — and responsibility should be placed, at least temporarily, directly in the hands of the deputy secretary of defense, a task force has recommended.

The report by the Defense Department’s Task Force on Sexual Assault in the Military Services, based on 15 months of work and interviews with more than 3,500 people at 60 locations around the world, said the department’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office is not providing policy or oversight for key responsibilities, or interacting with military officials in the field who are accountable on this issue.

Defense officials should revamp the office and provide the expertise necessary to lead and oversee its primary missions of sexual assault prevention, response, training and accountability, the task force said.
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Report slams flaws in DoD sex assault program

Supporting the troops means taking care of veterans too

While Taylor Texas can put out something like this,,,,,,

Adopt A Unit at Fort Hood Project

The City of Taylor and the City of Hutto adopted the 4th Infantry Division's Combat Aviation Brigade Battalion 1/4 Avn at Fort Hood. These two cities agreed to support the Central Texas Fort Hood Chapter Association of the United States Army (AUSA) and it's "Adopt a Unit" Program during their deployment to Iran in 2008/2009.The troops returned home from their most recent deployment to Iran in June, 2009 and were welcomed home with a special event sponsored by both cities at the Old Settlers Association facility in Round Rock on June 27. For more information on the program contact Jean Johnson at 352-5448 or the Taylor Chamber of Commerce at 365-8485.
Visit the website at http://www.forthoodausa.org/ for additional details on these programs and how you can adopt a unit of your own.
Letter from Lt. Col. Brian Bennett, July 15, 2008.
Letter of appreciation from Major General Hammond, July, 2009.
Contact Information
Taylor Chamber of Commerce
1519 N. Main StreetTaylor, TX 76574
512-365-8485

it also looks like they do not take it to heart when it comes to taking care of veterans as well.

Veterans for Common Sense Fights Discrimination Against Veterans in Taylor Texas
Written by Claire Osborn
Saturday, 10 October 2009 22:35
Taylor residents oppose proposed veterans center in their neighborhood

October 11, 2009, Taylor, Texas (Austin American-Statesman) — A California company wants to convert an empty facility formerly used as nursing home into a trauma assistance center for as many as 88 female veterans, including those who have been sexually assaulted by fellow soldiers.

But some Taylor residents say they don't want the facility in their town.

"It would put veterans in a situation where they are going to a town that doesn't want them," said Cherri Wolbrueck, co-owner of a Taylor bookstore. She talked about her opposition after attending a zoning board meeting where representatives of the company — Center Point Inc., based in San Rafael, Calif. — spoke.

Wolbrueck lives across the street from the proposed facility where veterans would live. She said she fears that veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder might attack residents in the Buttermilk Hill neighborhood.

"They can have an episode where a flashback transports them back into a combat situation, and they can perceive anyone as a threat: an elderly person taking a walk around the neighborhood, or a child on a bike," she said.

Laura Lambe, the executive vice president of Texas Center Point Inc., which would operate the facility and is a subsidiary of the California company, said the veterans who would be served at the facility would not be a danger to the community.

"We are not dealing with people who are threatening," Lambe said.

"We have a moral obligation to help veterans," said Paul Sullivan, executive director of Veterans for Common Sense, an advocacy group based in Washington. "Veterans are the kind of neighbors we want, and it's safe to be around them."

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Not wanted in an American neighborhood? Really? This must mean as long as they are risking their lives some place else, they are welcome, but when they dare to come home needing help, they are no longer welcome. This is a town in dire need of an education on what war does and what kind of people the troops are. They risked their lives for the same people that do not want them in their neighborhoods!

Military sexual trauma:76 percent were diagnosed with a mental condition

Among women who reported experiencing sexual trauma, 76 percent were diagnosed with a mental condition, compared to 47 percent of other female veterans. The rates were similar in men.

Sexual Trauma Haunts Many Female Vets
Study found 1 in 7 from Iraq, Afghanistan who sought medical care were victims
Posted October 28, 2008
By Randy Dotinga
HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Oct. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Shedding light on the challenges facing women in the military, a new study shows that more than one in seven female Iraq and Afghanistan veterans seeking VA medical care reported experiencing sexual trauma during their service.

Veterans who reported sexual trauma, such as rape and threatening sexual harassment, were three times more likely to be diagnosed with a mental illness such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

"These mental health conditions are getting recognized, diagnosed and treated," said study co-author Joanne Pavao, a researcher with the VA Palo Alto Health Care System's National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, in California.

Pavao and her colleagues analyzed the records of 89,960 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who sought medical care in the VA health-care system between Oct. 1, 2001, and Oct. 1, 2006. They were expected to present their findings Tuesday in San Diego at the American Public Health Association's annual meeting.
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Fort Bragg Protest Calls Attention To Crimes Against Female Soldiers

Bragg protest blames military culture in deaths

The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Oct 9, 2008 9:06:24 EDT

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Protesters gathered outside a gate at the Army’s Fort Bragg to draw attention to the deaths of female soldiers this year because of domestic violence.

The protesters were critical of the military culture they said makes it difficult for a female soldier to tell a commander that she is being threatened, The Fayetteville Observer reported Thursday.

Retired Col. Ann Wright said during the Wednesday event that the military must address the issue. Protesters also criticized the military bureaucracy that they said minimizes sexual assault complaints.

Military spokesmen have said officials don’t see a pattern in recent deaths and that the safety of female soldiers is an important issue.

In addition to three female soldiers from Fort Bragg killed since June, the burned body of a pregnant female Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune was found in January.

“I am here to say that our military must address this,” said Wright, who served 29 years in the Army and was stationed at Bragg for three years.
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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_braggprotest_100908/

Ret. Col. Ann Wright holds vigil for murdered women at Fort Bragg

Retired US Army Colonel Ann Wright
PRESS CONFERENCE AND VIGIL AT FORT BRAGG TO COMMEMORATE
THE MURDER OF THREE MILITARY WOMEN AND
OTHER VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE IN NORTH CAROLINA

Fayetteville, North Carolina,
During October, Prevention of Domestic Violence Month, National and North Carolina organizations will commemorate the deaths of three U.S. military women who were killed in North Carolina by military males and other victims of violence in North Carolina.
WHEN: 10 am Press Conference, 12:00pm Noon Vigil, 1pm Luncheon/discussion, 3pm Wreath laying
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
WHERE:
10am Press Conference at the Quaker Peace Center, 223 Hillside Ave, Fayetteville, NC 28301 323-3912

11:00 AM - Set up for Vigil, entrance to Ft. Bragg, Yadkin Rd.

11:30 AM - Vigil to bring awareness to and speak out against DV & SA in the Military

1:00 PM – Luncheon & discussions with Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault agencies Quaker House, 223 Hillside Av.

3:00 PM - Wreath Laying at Lafayette Cemetary, 2301 Ramsey St.

In a six month period from December 2007 to July 2008, four U.S. military women were killed by military males near the Army’s Fort Bragg and the Marine Corps’ Camp Lejeune, two mega-military bases in North Carolina.

Three of the women were in the Army. The latest murder victim is 29-year-old US Army Sergeant Christina Smith who was killed September 30, 2008. Her husband Fort Bragg Sgt. Richard Smith, 26, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy.Also arrested was 18-year-old Mathew Kvapil, a private first class at Fort Bragg. Kvapil has been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy.

Christina Smith and Kvapil are multimedia graphic illustrators and Smith is an electronics maintenance technician assigned to the 4th Psychological Operations Group at Fort Bragg.

Spc. Megan Touma was seven months pregnant when her body was found inside a Fayetteville hotel room June 21, 2008. A married male soldier whom she knew in Germany has since been arrested.

The estranged Marine husband of Army 2nd Lt. Holley Wimunc, an Army nurse at Fort Bragg, has been arrested in her death and the burning of her body.

Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach had been raped in May 2007 and protective orders had been issued against the alleged perpetrator, fellow Marine Cpl. Cesar Laurean. The burned body of Lauterbach and her unborn baby were found in a shallow grave in the backyard of Laurean’s home in January 2008. Laurean fled to Mexico, where he was captured by Mexican authorities. He is currently awaiting extradition to the United States to stand trial. Lauterbach’s mother testified before Congress on July 31, 2008, that the Marine Corps ignored warning signs that Laurean was a danger to her daughter .

Representatives of Veterans for Peace, the Coalition to End Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in the Military and the Quaker Peace House will commemorate these deaths and ask concerned members of the military and civilian community of Fayetteville to join them in these events.



Bill Perry, Service Officer
Disabled American Veteran CSO
Make ANY ERROR in the VA Claims maze,
& you'll be forced into a 2 year Appeal process
Get Expert Advice, Evaluations, & Treatment
215-945-1269

Women at War:When the enemy is one of your own

In response to my post on When the enemy is one of your own

Subject: Fw: [Wounded Times] Women at War: When the enemy is one of your ownTRIGGER


KATHIE IS A VERY DEAR FRIEND OF MINE AND ALL VETERANS.. 8 YEARS AGO WHEN I BEGAN TO CONTACT OTHERS WHO WERE IN MY WAC COMPANY AT FORT RITCHIE AND FORT MCCLELLAN TO INFORM THEM ABOUT THE CHEMICAL EXPOSURE THERE... SOMETHING UNEXPECTED OCCURRED... THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY MY EMPLOYER (IRS POD IN ANDOVER MASSACHUSETTS)..WAS UNDERGOING A REDUCTION IN FORCE (RIF) NATIONALLY. OUR JOBS WERE BEING OUTSOURCED ( I WAS A GS12/9 COMPUTER SYSTEM ANALYST WITH OVER 29 YEARS OF SERVICE INCLUDING 7 YEARS ON ACTIVE DUTY).

AND ONCE AGAIN I WAS IN A HOSTILE WORK PLACE BEING STALKED AND HARRASSED BY A LOWER GRADE EMPLOYEE (HE ALSO STALKED OTHER WOMEN AND MEN ON THE SHIFT). MANAGEMENT DID NOTHING EVEN THOUGH MANY FILED EEO,TIGTA, AND GRIEVANCES AGAINST MANAGEMENT. THEY NOT ONLY FAILED TO STOP THIS BUT THEY CONDUCTED A DAILY ROUTINE OF HARRASSING THOSE WHO FILED AGAINST THEM MAKING ME A PRIME TARGET.

THESE SAME MANAGERS WERE THE ONES WHO DISMISSED THESE ACTIONS AS UNTIMELY FILED... GEE ALLOWING THOSE, WHO THESE CHARGES WERE FILED AGAINST, TO HEAR THE CASE FOR THEIR DISMISSAL ?????? I DO NOT THINK THAT IS WHAT THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS INTENDED WHEN PASSING THE LAWS PROTECTING WHISTLEBLOWERS AND A PROTECTION AGAINST A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT....

AS I WAS PRESENTING DOCUMENTS UPON DOCUMENTS TO PROVE ALL MY ACTIVE DUTY TIME AND ONCE AGAIN PROVING MY DISABLED SERVICE CONNECTED FOR CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DISABILITY.. AND MY PRIORITY ONE CLASSIFICATION VET STATUS.. THE DAILY HARRASSMENT TOOK ME BACK TO A TIME AND PLACE WHEN I WAS RAPED AND ASSUALTED ON ACTIVE DUTY PLUS MANY OTHER EVENTS... AND MY PTSD WENT INTO FULL RAGE. I INFORMED ALL AGENCIES THAT I COULD NOT BE IN THAT ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE I FEARED FOR MY LIFE AND COULD NOT PROTECT MYSELF AGAINST THIS MAN WHO THREATEND TO KILL ME AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SECOND SHIFT. I, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, SPOKE OF THIS TO MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY. THEY NEVER KNEW. THEN I WENT THROUGH "WASTING", LOSS OF WEIGHT FROM 145 LBS TO 98 LBS... THE POISONS STAYED IN MY BODY FAT AND ONCE AGAIN ENTERED INTO MY BLOOD STREAM.

IT WAS DURING THAT TIME I WAS TRYING TO HELP OTHER VETERANS GET BACK THERE ACTIVE DUTY TIME THAT WAS REMOVED BY PERSONEL.... INCLUDING SOME OF MY OWN. THEN THE NIGHTMARES CAME BACK. THE PAIN, INABILITY TO SLEEP OR SLEEPING TOO MUCH. MY PAIN MEDICATION HAD TO BE INCREASED AND I SPENT A LOT OF TIME CRYING... FACES, NAMES, SMELLS .. FEAR...

I THOUGHT, OH MY GOD, IF THIS WAS HAPPENING TO ME THEN WHAT ABOUT ALL THE REST??? SLOWLY AT FIRST I WAS CONTACTED BY OTHER VETERANS FROM ALL ERAS AND BRANCHES OF THE SERVICE... MANY HAD THE SAME SYMTOMS THAT I HAD FROM CHEMICAL EXPOSURE AND MANY, MANY WERE ALSO ASSAULTED ON ACTIVE DUTY . I CALLED MY FAMILY TOGETHER ( 4 BROTHERS, SEVEN SISTERS AND MY 80 YEAR OLD MOTHER). I TOLD THEM WHAT I HAD TO DO WAS GO TO WASHINGTON AND APPEAR BEFORE THE VA DISABILITY COMMISSION AND WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY AND WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO HEAR. PRIOR TO THE WASTING NO ONE KNEW HOW SICK I WAS. NOW IT IS VERY VISUAL...

AND OVER 200 MEN AND WOMEN HAVE CONTACTED ME. NO, YOU ARE NOT ALONE...

AND THERE ARE MANY LIKE KATHIE, JANICE, SARAH, PAUL, CARL AND THOUSANDS MORE WHO STAND BY US IN THIS BATTLE. YOU ARE AMONG FRIENDS...

I HAVE CONTACTED MANY ELECTED OFFICIALS ABOUT THESE TOPICS... BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I WAS TOLD
HE/SHE CAN NOT HELP YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT IN THE RIGHT DISTRICT... LAST WEEK I WAS INVITED TO ATTEND A ROUNTABLE MEETING FOR SOMEONE RUNNING FOR THE SENATE.. I TOOK A BOX FULL OF STATEMENTS AND OTHER MATERIALS... WELL THE MEETING WAS OVER AN HOUR LATE GETTING STARTED.. THE SPEECH WAS ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND MOST FOLKS LEFT. I SAT THERE WITH MY PORTABLE DVD PLAYING "THE VOICE WOMAN AT WAR". THE STAFF CLEARED THE ROOM OF TABLES AND CHAIRS AND I WAITED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. A CAMPAIGN STAFFER CAME OVER AND SAID THERE IS NO TIME FOR YOU!! I ONLY NEED 5 TO TEN MINUTES" NO TIME FOR YOU.. THAN WHY WAS I ASKED TO BE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE??????????????? (PHOTO OP)

HAVE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY CALL THE FOLLOWING ELECTED OFFICALS. IF THEY HAVE NO TIME FOR US OR WILL NOT EVEN SPEAK TO A DISABLED VETERAN..THAN WE HAVE NO TIME FOR THEM...

WE ARE WARRIORS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND WE DEFEND THE COUNTRY REGARDLESS OF WHAT DISTRICT THEY ARE IN.

THE FOLLOWING ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE PROMISED TO GIVE THE VETERANS OF OUR COUNTRY WHAT WE ARE ENTITLED TO AND CORRECT THE WRONGS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS DONE TO US... I SPOKE TO JOHN TIERNEY ON THE PHONE WHEN I WAS IN D.C. AND SPENT OVER 50 MINTUES TALKING TO HIS AIDE GOING OVER ALL THE STATEMENTS I BROUGHT TO D.C. .... PLEASE CONTACT THEM AND TELL THEM WE NEED JUSTICE NOW AND WE CAN NOT WAIT UNTIL JANUARY... NOT ONLY TO CORRECT THE SPIN CODES USED TO REMOVE WARRIORS FROM HONORABLE DISCHARGES BUT TO REINSTATE THE RANK WHICH WE WOULD OF RECEIVED AND THE SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY RATING FOR THESE CONDITIONS:



JOHN TIERNEY 1-978-531-1669 1-202-225-8020
JANE HARMAN 1-310-549-8282 1-202-225-8220
HILLARY CLINTON 1-518-431-0120 1-202-224-4451
CAROL SHEA PORTER 1-603-397-3190
JOHN HALL 1-202-225-9756

SEMPER FI DUTY HONOR COUNTRY

IRISH BRESNAHAN


PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PASS THIS ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Angel House taking care of female homeless veterans

This Side Up - August 13, 2008
Mitzie leads the way to help vets
By Pat Eudy
(Published August 13, 2008)
One of Mitzie's favorite things is her job as advancement associate with Lutheran Family Services. She is working on a great project in partnership with the Veterans Administration. The project is a transitional home for homeless female veterans. It's called Angel House.

Angel house will serve six female veterans at a time. The goal of this project is by the time they leave this home they will be self sufficient, have a job, bank account and a house or apartment. There are 300 female homeless veterans in South Carolina and 71 percent of them have suffered sexual assault while in the military, according to some statistics.

go here for more

http://www.fortmilltimes.com/187/story/254765.html