Ask Peter: Protecting Our Soldiers

Statement

Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) released the latest installment of Ask Peter today, a frequent video conversation with Sixth District residents about issues important to them. In this segment, Congressman Roskam answers Gene Brandon of Algonquin who asked about the urgent need to address sexual assault in the military.

"Our brave soldiers protect us, and we need to protect them. Previously, a Commander could simply just dismiss a charge of sexual assault on their own; it's ridiculous. That practice has to be changed. It is being changed with amendments and changes to the National Defense Authorization Act that the House has acted on this week. We've also set up a process by which victims of sexual assault in the military have access to counsel. That is, legal advisors to help them move through the process; and also to seek and receive permanent transfer out of a hostile environment into a different assignment. As we move forward, we need to learn more and do our best to protect the very people that we rely on to protect us."

Ask Peter videos are available to the public at roskam.house.gov, facebook.com/reproskam twitter.com/peterroskam, and via press release. The videos are sent to constituents via e-mail, Facebook, or Twitter, depending on how they contacted the Roskam office.

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