Look & Listen

Examine the Role of the Commander in Sexual Assault

Video: 04/04/19

view at: House Armed Services Committee »

On April 2, 2019, the House Armed Services Committee hosted two panels composed of military justice reform advocates, military sexual assault survivors and military Judge Advocates. Congresswoman Jackie Spier made opening remarks, noting that the number of reported sexual assaults in the military continues to rise significantly while prosecutions and convictions have decreased. The American Bar Association along with Protect Our Defenders reinforced their position that until the decision to prosecute is made by independent attorneys and not military commanders with convening authority, there will not be an impartial military justice system free of retaliation and wrongful discharges for military personnel.

Sexual Assault and Harassment in the U.S. Military

Video: 01/23/18

view at: YouTube »

A YouTube search of “sexual assault and sexual harassment in the military” provides access to numerous videos addressing this systemic issue within the largest U.S. federal agency and biggest world employer.

Protect Our Defenders Names New Chief Executive Officer

Video: 01/09/18

view at: Protect Our Defenders »

Scott Jensen, retired Marine Corps colonel and Marine Corps sexual assault and prevention unit, recently became the Chief Executive Officer for Protect Our Defenders, a nonprofit human rights organization advocating for servicewomen and men.  They are focused on military justice reform to ensure an unbiased, more transparent federal agency legal system that operates independently from the civil legal system.  They continue to challenge the Department of Defense’s (the largest employer in the world) efforts to recognize, deter, and litigate sexual assault and harassment within their ranks and to protect victims/survivors of sexual assault and harassment from retaliation and retribution.  Protect Our Defenders offers pro bono legal services.

Former Air Force Academy Official Alleges Sexual Assault Cover-ups

Video: 12/12/17

view at: CBS News »

Part II of the CBS inestgative report on sexual assault at the United States Air Force Academy includes an interview with a former USAFA Sexual Assault Prevention Response official, Teresa Beasley, who served in the office for ten years.

Part I is also posted in the WomenVetsUSA "Media" section.

Air Force Academy Chief Responds to CBS News Sexual Assault Investigation

Video: 12/12/17

view at: CBS News »

The current Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) spoke with CBS News about their two-part investigative report about sexual assault at the school.  Lt. General Silveria stated he was “disgusted” with the reports, but doesn’t believe USAFA has problems handling reported cases.  

CBS News investigative reports Parts I and II are posted in the WomenVetsUSA “Media” section.

Current and Former Cadets Speak Out on Sexual Assault at the Air Force Academy

Video: 12/11/17

view at: CBS News »

In Part I of this CBS News investigative report about sexual assault at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) current and former cadets share their experiences about reported sexual assaults.

Part II includes an interview with a former USAFA Sexual Assault Prevention Response official who served in the office for ten years.  Part II is also posted in the WomenVetsUSA “Media” section.

USA: Assault in the Military

Video: 08/30/16

view at: VICELAND »

The Emmy-nominated VICELAND show WOMAN, screened "USA: Assault in the Military," the show's in-depth look into institutionalized sexual assault within the US military, at New York City's Lincoln Center on August 30, 2016. After the screening, Gloria Steinem, a lifelong feminist activist, with Loree Sutton, a retired Army brigadier general and psychiatrist now serving as the New York City's Department of Veterans' Services Commissioner, participated in a moderated livestream discussion "about sexual assault in the military, what's being done to combat the problem, and how survivors are getting help."

Senator Gillibrand May 24, 2016 Press Conference to Reintroduce Military Justice Improvement Act

Video: 05/24/16

view at: YouTube »

Senator Gillibrand reintroduced the Military Justice Improvement Act along with other senators, Protect Our Defenders, Servicewomen's Action Network, Vietnam Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and a survivor Samantha Jackson on May 24, 2016, which would take certain criminal offenses including sexual assault out of the military chain of command decision making process and instead, place these complex and difficult decisions in the hands of trained military legal professionals.  The reintroduction is made in the context of misleading information the Pentagon provided at Congressional hearings last year.  The information led Congress to believe that the military change of command has made significant improvements in the military justice system to ensure allegations of sexual assault were professionally addressed to include the elimination of retaliation against victims and that civilian legal entities were less willing than the military to prosecute sexual assault allegations.  Current data reflects that prosecutions are stalled, the judicial process is rife with bias, and a lack of accountability and transparency.  Senators continue to seek White House leadership.

Protect Our Defenders: YouTube Library

Video: 04/01/16

view at: YouTube: "Protect Our Defenders" Channel »

This YouTube channel is hosted by the only human rights organization dedicated to ending sexual assault in the U.S. military--Protect Our Defenders. Videos include military sexual assault survivor stories, news, and other related video uploads.

MST: Beyond the Headlines with Cheryl Jennings

Video: 03/29/16

view at: ABC 7 News »

Cheryl Jennings of ABC's "Beyond the Headlines" interviews two male military sexual assault (MST) survivors, the CEO and President of Protect Our Defenders, the Director of Gender Equity & LGBT Rights, and Senior Staff Attorney of the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center.  Sexual assault continues to be epidemic in the military and is not gender-specific.  Statistics continue to reflect that more military men than military women are raped during their service.  Continued reform of military law enforcement and justice systems is necessary to provide military members with an impartial and just process that they can access without fear of retaliation. Additionally, accessing MST survivors to physical and mental health care while in the military and as veterans is critical to their lifelong well being and self-sufficiency.

Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage Celebrates Nancy Parrish

Video: 02/29/16

view at: YouTube »

Nancy Parrish, Founder and CEO of Protect Our Defenders in 2011, was awarded the 2016 prize for social courage. Nancy has devoted much of her life to challenging social issues across the United States.  Protect Our Defenders is "the only national human rights organization solely dedicated to ending the epidemic of sexual assault and harassment in the U.S. military and its wide-ranging effects on our communities."  The New York Times noted that Protect Our Defenders has "quickly become the nation's pre-eminent advocacy group on behalf of victims of sexual assault in the military."

Sexual Assault Permeates U.S. Armed Military

Video: 08/29/15

view at: CBS News »

Katie Couric's interviews Jessica, an Army Apache helicopter maintenance crew member, who was assaulted and raped while assigned in South Korea. Jessica shares how she tried to fit into her unit, was not believed when she reported the assault, and ultimately left the Army continuing to struggle with assault and rape and the military's complicity with the alleged crime.

The Truth Behind the Camouflage Documentary

Video: 08/19/15

view at: YouTube »

"The Truth Behind the Camouflage", directed by Lynette Jones, is a documentary film intending to inform recommendations and solutions for the victims of sexual abuse in the military.  The film includes interviews with women who served in the military as well as legislators.  Lynette Jones served in the Army, completing multiple Gulf War tours of duty.

Secretary of Defense Briefing: Military Sexual Assault (2014 SAPRO Report)

Video: 05/01/15

view at: C-SPAN »

C-SPAN maintains a comprehensive video library covering military sexual assault.  Videos include briefings from the Secretaries of Defense, senior military members, Congressional members and panels.

Sexual Assault in the Military

Video: 05/01/15

view at: C-SPAN »

In December 2014, Secretary of Defense (SecDef) Carter released the Department of Defense's (DOD) topline analysis of its annual report on sexual assault in the military.  This follow-up briefing was focused on four new SecDef directives to further strengthen the prevention and response program. The new directives included updating prevention training to include sexual harassment, gender-sensitive care for male and female survivors and development of a DOD-wide strategy to prevent retaliation.

Lauren: Season 1

Video: 02/03/15

view at: Lauren: Season 1, Episodes 1-3 »

A soldier reports her sexual assault to a female supervisor.  She is forced to choose between military service and what is right.

Lauren: Season 2

Video: 02/03/15

view at: Lauren: Season 2, Episodes 1-12 »

A soldier reports her sexual assault to a female supervisor.  She is forced to choose between military service and what is right.

Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict - Highlights

Video: 12/12/14

view at: YouTube »

The Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, 0-13 June 2014 at ExCel London, was the largest gathering ever brought together on this issue, with 1,700 delegates and 123 country delegations including 79 Ministers. The Summit agreed practical steps to tackle impunity for the use of rape as a weapon of war, and to begin to change global attitudes to these crimes. You can read more about the Global Summit here: http://ow.ly/FMRii

Podcast: Under the Radar (Episode 63)

Audio: 12/05/14

hear at: DecodeDC »

The Scripps Washington Bureau, in an exhaustive, unprecedented review of more than 1,300 military court martial cases, discovered at least 242 convicted military rapists, child molesters, and other sex offenders have fallen under the radar and slipped through what a member of the House Armed Services Committee calls a "gaping loophole" in the system. 

Fix the Broken Military Justice System--Full Press Conference

Video: 12/03/14

view at: You Tube »

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) hosted a press conference to discuss her bipartisan Military Justice Improvement Act (MJIA) with Susan Collins (R-ME), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Rand Paul (R-KY). This legislation would remove the decision to prosecute major felonies, including rape and sexual assault, from the conflicted and often-biased chain of command.  Professionally trained, independent prosecutors would make these decisions.

Air Force Academy Cadet Goes Undercover to Fight Sexual Assault

Video: 10/30/14

view at: ABC News »

ABC news interviews a freshman Air Force Academy cadet who was sexually assaulted.  The interview explores alleged retaliation and reprisal associated with Operation Gridiron. 

Sexual Assault/Trauma/Department of Defense

Video: 07/02/14

view at: YouTube »

These Department of Defense videos address sexual assault in the military.

Our Military’s Disgrace: A Preview of Our Latest Cover Story

Video: 04/23/14

view at: MACLEANS »

Rape in the Military was the headline on a Maclean's cover in 1998—one of four cover stories that year stemming from a nine-month investigation into disturbing behaviour in the Canadian Forces. Now, 16 years later, Maclean's and its sister magazine, L'actualité, are co-publishing another months-long investigation into the sexual violence that still plagues the Canadian military.

Artemis Rising Recovery Program for Military Sexual Trauma Survivors

Video: 12/12/13

view at: YouTube »

The Artemis Rising Recovery Program was inspired by the 2012 "The Invisible War" documentary. Program Director Mylea Charvat and graduates of the recovery program Kate Weber and Victoria Sanders discuss their personal experiences and participation of the recovery program. The program combines a variety of non-pharmaceutical healing methods that are evidence based and highly effective for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  The program is offered free of charge to MST survivors with a generous Artemis Rising Foundation grant combined with individual donations.

Effects of Sexual Harassment/Sexual Assault on the Army Profession: A Victim and Leader Perspective

Video: 10/13/13

view at: Center for the Army Profession and Ethic (CAPE) »

A victim of sexual assault as a Private First Class. Her unit's leadership set a standard which she now uses to train and educate her leaders on how to handle these cases. She is sharing her story to help fellow Army professionals better understand the needs of sexual assault victims, in order to eradicate this crime that undermines trust and tarnishes our Army profession.

Justice Denied: Male Military Sexual Assault Documentary

Video: 09/21/13

view at: Justice Denied Movie »

The documentary, Justice Denied, world premier was hosted at the Albuquerque Film and Media Experience in Albuquerque, New Mexico June 3-9 , 2013.  Servicemen who survived sexual assault in the military share their stories in hopes of raising public awareness of the epidemic, promoting reform of military laws and judicial system, and improving military and veteran health care services.

U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Annual Enforcement Report Hearings

Video: 06/22/13

view at: C-SPAN »

Narrative: The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights hosts one annual Enforcement Report hearing followed by a report. These three panels testified on January 11, 2013. Public comments were also collected for a few months. Hearing transcripts are posted at: http://www.usccr.gov/calendar/transcripts.php. The final report is projected to be released in September 2013.

The Fight Against Sexual Assault Has Just Begun

Video: 05/22/13

view at: NBC »

Senators Collins (R-ME) and Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representative Spier (D-CA) discuss with NBC the need for military justice system reform to ensure sexual assault victims receive impartial justice with no retailiation or humiliation.

Feres Doctrine and the Obstacles to Justice for Military Rape Victims

Video: 05/09/13

view at: PBS »

Military sexual assault victims face a myriad of substantial obstacles. Their judge chooses the jury, and change the charge, reduce the sentence, and overturn a verdict. The judges may not have any legal education, background, or knowledge. Additionally, with the Feres Doctrine, the Tort Claims Act was expanded, banning servicemembers from suing for any injuries that "arise out of or are in the course of activity incident to service." Its "stretch" prevents servicemembers from suing the military, including victims of rape. In essence, servicemembers are blocked from civil courts.

The Invisible War

Video: 01/19/12

view at: The Invisible War »

This powerful 2012 groundbreaking investigative documentary prompted Secretary of Defense Panetta to publicly disclose the sexual assault epidemic in the U.S. military in April 2012.  Since then, over 50 legal, policy and regulatory reforms in addition to organization-wide training have evolved to change the military's justice system, investigation and law enforcement practices, medical forensic protocols, mental health diagnoses and security clearance requirements.  To date, the reform momentum remains high with continued general public interest and Congressional action.