RWPC Members Meet to Investigate Military Sexual Assaults
Press Release
Members of the Republican Women's Policy Committee held a meeting last night with representatives of the armed forces to discuss the recent revelations of wide-spread sexual assaults in the military. RWPC Members released the following statements regarding the discussions that took place:
Chairwoman Ellmers
"Last night we held a very important meeting with members of our armed forces on the serious crisis concerning sexual assaults and how they are being handled. I was impressed by the candor and frankness of those in attendance and see this meeting as an important first step. But as we talk about how to help victims of unwanted sexual contact, the focus must be placed on prevention - and that starts at recruitment."
"Our military has a responsibility to protect all of our troops from harm and the conduct that has occurred goes against everything we have fought to protect as a nation of justice for all. These protections should not cease once a civilian puts on a uniform and enters the military to serve our nation. In the weeks ahead we will hold more discussions and seek to find an expedited solution to this stain on our noble military and the freedoms they defend every day."
Congresswoman Susan Brooks
"Last night's meeting provided an important opportunity to discuss a troubling culture in the military that must be changed. Sexual assault - suffered by both women and men - has largely gone unreported. In order to continue to be the strongest military in the world, we have an obligation to ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted and punished, victims are supported and that no member of the military fears becoming a victim of sexual assault. Military leadership needs to be held accountable for ensuring that our young men and women who choose to serve their country are never victims of this heinous crime."
Col Michael Hudson, U.S. Marine Corps
"The synergy between our efforts in the Marine Corps and those from Congress are critical as we work together to stop the crime of sexual assault in our ranks. Meetings like last night allow us to see the challenges in the same light and how best to fight them going forward. I look forward to an opportunity to continue the conversation. - Semper Fi"
On May 7th, 2013, the Pentagon released a survey showing that an estimated 26,000 people in the armed forces were sexually assaulted last year, an increase from 19,000 in 2010. To investigate this crisis and hear from the experts, the Republican Women's Policy Committee invited members of the armed forces to meet with them to discuss the path forward and policies that would ensure victims are protected and empowered to report these crimes to authorities.
Last night, RWPC members and representatives of the military met to discuss the challenges facing female troops and what needs to be done to hold sexual predators accountable. Members of the Republican Women's Policy Committee in attendance included Chairwoman Renee Ellmers (NC-2), Rep. Marsha Blackburn (TN-7), Rep. Susan Brooks (IN-5), Rep. Ileana Rep. Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27) and Rep. Ann Wagner (MO-2).
Representatives of the U.S. Armed Forces included the following:
Vice Admiral Nanette M. DeRenzi, United States Navy - Vice Adm. DeRenzi is the 42nd judge advocate general (JAG) of the Navy. As the judge advocate general, DeRenzi is the principal military legal counsel to the secretary of the Navy and chief of naval operations, and serves as the Department of Defense representative for Ocean Policy Affairs (REPOPA). As the JAG, she also leads the 2,300 attorneys, enlisted legalmen, and civilian employees of the worldwide Navy JAG Corps community.
Colonel Ellen Haring, United States Army - Colonel Ellen Haring is a 1984 graduate of West Point and has served in the US Army for more than 29 years. She is currently assigned to the staff of the United States Army War College in Carlisle, PA. In May 2012, she filed the first lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the ground combat exclusion policy that prohibited women from serving in ground combat positions throughout the military. Her lawsuit remains open and COL Haring continues to press for equality in the military services.
Major Jeannette Haynie, United States Marine Corps - Major Jeannette Haynie, U. S. Marine Corps Reserve, is a 1998 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. She is an AH-1W Cobra pilot by trade, with several deployments and approximately 180 hours of combat flight time after ten years on active duty and five more as a Reservist. She served as a Uniformed Victim Advocate in a squadron and handled several of the squadron's cases of sexual assault during that assignment. She is currently serving in a Marine Corps Reserve billet as part of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.
Staff Sergeant Jennifer Hunt, United States Army - Staff Sergeant Jennifer Hunt is a noncommissioned officer in the United States Army Reserves. She currently serves as a Civil Affairs Team Sergeant in the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne). In November 2012, SSG Hunt and three other military service women filed a lawsuit challenging the Combat Exclusion Policy that had kept women out of ground combat units for nearly two decades. In January 2013, the policy was officially lifted by the Secretary of Defense.
Colonel Michael Hudson, United States Marine Corps - Colonel Michael R. Hudson was assigned to Marine Family Programs as the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Branch Head in August of 2012. He has logged more than 4000 total flight hours. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star gold star in lieu of second award, the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal gold star in lieu of second award, the Air Medal with strike flight 12, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal gold star in lieu of second award and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal gold star in lieu of second award.
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