investigation. adultery the continue to him advised
He did this at great risk to him, because his supervisor (and his supervisor’s legal counsel) h counsel) legal supervisor’s his (and supervisor his because him, to risk great at this did He ad ad
and immediately sent this Second Lieutenant to me for support. for me to Lieutenant Second this sent immediately and leader great a was Commander
recognized that she was attempt was she that recognized This This it. for against retaliated being was and rape a report to ing
when her new Battalion Commander read the packet, he wanted to puke. He immediately immediately He puke. to wanted he packet, the read Commander Battalion new her when
When she changed duty stations, her adultery packet followed her. And And her. followed packet adultery her stations, duty changed she When ery. adult ith w charged
(which is an offense in the military) the in offense an is (which adultery pite him being the married party, he was not not was he party, married the being him pite Des .
The Commander was married and she was not, and the military began to prosecute her for for her prosecute to began military the and not, was she and married was Commander The
Seco a instance, such one In nd Lieutenant was being raped by her Battalion Commander. Commander. Battalion her by raped being was Lieutenant nd
enforcement. law to
services. Command was telling them that the sex was “consensual” and not even forwar even not and “consensual” was sex the that them telling was Command services. ding it it ding
retaliated against for reporting. They were not being believed. Command was denying them them denying was Command believed. being not were They reporting. for against retaliated
ut what I found was a completely different story. story. different completely a was found I what ut B clients were being being were clients my of ll A
brothers and sisters in arms. arms. in sisters and brothers my on impact
look at how these issues were handled and was excited to make a positive positive a make to excited was and handled were issues these how at look firsthand a had and
Command on Fort Bragg to be one of the first Victim Advoca Victim first the of one be to Bragg Fort on Command I loved the military, military, the loved I post. on tes
After I got out of the military, I was quickly picked up by by up picked quickly was I military, the of out got I After the Special Operations Operations Special the
something in his eye that caused him to do this this do to him caused that eye his in something . spoke we time every
so naïve at the time t time the at naïve so was I him. with met I time hat I actually believed that he must have just had had just have must he that believed actually I hat
enlisted Soldiers to sleep with me. His boss, the Company Commander, Company the boss, His me. with sleep to Soldiers enlisted would wink at me every every me at wink would
I made it overseas, and was so concerned about my “sexual health” that he lined up his lower lower his up lined he that health” “sexual my about concerned so was and overseas, it made I
wice as hard to get half as far. One of my first supervisors bought me a a me bought supervisors first my of One far. as half get to hard as wice t work vibrator as soon as as soon as vibrator
I started my military career in 2005 as a young officer, and quickly learned that I had to to had I that learned quickly and officer, young a as 2005 in career military my started I
let you know the most effective way to fix it. it. fix to way effective most the know you let field, this in experience of years 20 my
embers face as they report sexual assault/harassment. And And assault/harassment. sexual report they as face embers M Service our that plight the ased off off ased b
Today, I’d like to share with you a few stories that highlight highlight that stories few a you with share to like I’d Today, Command. Operations Special with
US Army Veteran, Attorney, and former Victim Advocate Advocate Victim former and Attorney, Veteran, Army US a am and Knapp Lindsey am I
Members Congressional Esteemed
2021 21, March
Helping Survivors Exercis Survivors Helping Rights their e
T L U A S S A L A U X E S T A B M O C
2
bucks.” big the paid got he why was “that and that do absolutely could Commander Brigade
nd that my my that nd Comma Forces ecial Sp 1 for Officer Executive the by told was and command
st
harassment, his boss promoted him and made him my boss. I reported this to my next higher higher next my to this reported I boss. my him made and him promoted boss his harassment,
my new supervisor. Let’s recap. After a Battalion Commander was accused of sexual sexual of accused was Commander Battalion a After recap. Let’s supervisor. new my
de him him de ma also it and on, promoti a was This Commander. Deputy new his Commander Battalion
However, the Brigade Commander did not take my advice, and rather he made this this made he rather and advice, my take not did Commander Brigade the However,
completion of the investigation. investigation. the of completion
such things are things such ed on the civilian version of “administrative leave” until the the until leave” “administrative of version civilian the on ed plac routinely
controversial request. Those in a position of power who are accused of of accused are who power of position a in Those request. controversial - non and standard very
position until the investigation was complete. complete. was investigation the until position a a was recommendation this that mind, in Keep
Brigade Commander (the Battalio (the Commander Brigade boss) that he should be moved from his his from moved be should he that boss) Commander’s n
my unit was accused of sexual harassment. harassment. sexual of accused was unit my After the claimant came forward, I advised the the advised I forward, came claimant the After
his story is really only the tip of the of tip the only really is story his T one of the Battalion Commanders in in Commanders Battalion the of one Later, iceberg.
the Lead SVC remained in their position for the for position their in remained SVC Lead the investigation. year - 3 the of duration
Lead SVC was denying services to clients by unilaterally deciding that the sex was was sex the that deciding unilaterally by clients to services denying was SVC Lead consensual, consensual,
installation in the world. Yet despite these very real, real, very these despite Yet world. the in installation ifiable allegations that the the that allegations ifiable ver easily and
Bragg. There are 55,000 Soldiers stationed at Fort Bragg, and it is the lar the is it and Bragg, Fort at stationed Soldiers 55,000 are There Bragg. gest military military gest
denied my client services continued to run the SVC program for the the for program SVC the run to continued services client my denied entire installation of Fort Fort of installation entire
ree years later…..and nothing happened. During those three years, the Lead SVC that that SVC Lead the years, three those During happened. nothing later…..and years ree Th
) that they didn’t have jurisdiction over her claim and could not action it. it. action not could and claim her over jurisdiction have didn’t they that ) . etc
action did not involve a personnel action (such as as (such action personnel a involve not did action iatory retal the selection, selection, - non promotion, - non
clusion of the investigation, the IG came back and told her that because because that her told and back came IG the investigation, the of clusion con the At whatsoever.
took the IG three years to investigate her claim, only to not address her allegations allegations her address not to only claim, her investigate to years three IG the took then It
treatment). retaliatory other (amongst services assault xual se denied improperly
office stating that she was was she that stating office (IG) General’s Inspector e th with complaint a filed she client,
In an effort to correct the wrongs done against my my against done wrongs the correct to effort an In military. the of out kicked subsequently
by my client were founded and the perpetrator was was perpetrator the and founded were client my by made allegations the short, story Long . arm
, the Army’s law enforcement enforcement law Army’s the , ID C to assault the report to able was client the there, From
disobey their supervisor and take her on as a client. I was lucky and found one such individual. individual. such one found and lucky was I client. a as on her take and supervisor their disobey
hopes that one would would one that hopes in listen would that SVC any called I there, From SVC. an to entitled
were turned away. The Lead SVC stated that the sex was consensual and that she was she that and consensual was sex the that stated SVC Lead The away. turned were not not
reporting a sexual assault. When I went to the lead SVC on Fort Bragg to get her services, we we services, her get to Bragg Fort on SVC lead the to went I When assault. sexual a reporting
ey that the military states that they will provide to Service Members who a who Members Service to provide will they that states military the that ey Attorn the is which re re
a Special Victims Counsel (SVC), (SVC), Counsel Victims Special a client this get to attempted I tracks. my in dead stopped
eless, I cared for this client and tried to get her services, but was immediately immediately was but services, her get to tried and client this for cared I eless, Noneth
Helping Survivors Exercise their Rights Rights their Exercise Survivors Helping
3
best.
assessment is misogynistic at worst and discriminatory at at discriminatory and worst at misogynistic is assessment That position. a such have to qualified
the end to be told that I’m not even minimally minimally even not I’m that told be to end the to it made gically ma I somehow , him over me
chose chose unanimously l pane a where process selection rigorous very a through it making and him,
ing grossly more qualified than than qualified more grossly ing be Despite years. few last the for field this in working been only
mand, who had no legal experience, was not an Attorney, and had had and Attorney, an not was experience, legal no had who mand, Com Operations Special from
The person that they subsequently chose for the position was a Retired Sergeant Major Major Sergeant Retired a was position the for chose subsequently they that person The
osition. osition. p
that my resume even made it to selection, and that I was not even minimally qualified for such a a such for qualified minimally even not was I that and selection, to it made even resume my that
to begin work, they rescinded the of the rescinded they work, begin to was I before days only Then fer stating that it was a mistake mistake a was it that stating fer
my selection, they began the standar the began they selection, my d background checks that are required for such a position. position. a such for required are that checks background d
senior leaders, I was unanimously selected to lead Fort Bragg’s sexual response program. After After program. response sexual Bragg’s Fort lead to selected unanimously was I leaders, senior
After a lengthy selection process, which ended with being interviewed by a panel of of panel a by interviewed being with ended which process, selection lengthy a After
radius. radius. mile - 50 a within partner very e
community and not only knew all the players, but knew law enforcement and had worked with with worked had and enforcement law knew but players, the all knew only not and community
the local Rape Crisis’s Center B Center Crisis’s Rape local the for Committee Executive oard of Directors. I was steeped in the the in steeped was I Directors. of oard
ars of professional experience in this field, but I was also on the the on also was I but field, this in experience professional of ars ye 20 have I did only Not
advocate for all survivors on Fort Bragg. Bragg. Fort on survivors all for advocate
Program Manager position on Fort Bragg. With t With Bragg. Fort on position Manager Program properly properly to power e th have would I position, hat
This led me to apply for the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Prevention and Response Harassment/Assault Sexual the for apply to me led This
to make an impact on the lives of the Service Members that I wo I that Members Service the of lives the on impact an make to with. rked
After I gra I After degree. my complete to order duated and passed the Bar Exam, I was still determined determined still was I Exam, Bar the passed and duated
Central University’s Evening Law Program, and drove 2 hours to class class to hours 2 drove and Program, Law Evening University’s Central three nights a week in in week a nights three
While I was working as Victim Advocate at Fort Bragg, I was attending North Caro North attending was I Bragg, Fort at Advocate Victim as working was I While lina lina
school. law to went I … Until orked. w actually things how
thought that I just needed to learn how to do my job better, and maybe I just didn’t understand understand didn’t just I maybe and better, job my do to how learn to needed just I that thought
I believed that. I I that. believed I while, a For way. my on sent be promptly I’d then And Lindsey.” here around
“that’s just not the way we do things things do we way the not just “that’s like things told be constantly would I listen. would who
f this was occurring, I was being gas lit. I would raise my concerns to anyone anyone to concerns my raise would I lit. gas being was I occurring, was this f o all While
usual. as
and considered it busi it considered and interest of conflict no found me, above command the and command, ness ness
Despite this, my my this, Despite above. described I that Lieutenant Second the to services provide to attempting
was my supervisor, I was was I supervisor, my was officer this le whi And, result. a as military the of out kicked
Of note, the allegations against this Battalion Commander were founded and he was also also was he and founded were Commander Battalion this against allegations the note, Of
Helping Survivors Exercise their Rights Rights their Exercise Survivors Helping
4
challenges were far from over. over. from far were challenges After the military stonewalled the investigation, local local investigation, the stonewalled military the After
nding Notwithsta . ed remain leaders toxic the yet, And all of these setbacks, Erin’s Erin’s setbacks, these of all
). ttis.html ma - https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/07/us/politics/niger (
intervention his threatening behavior this curb to them
with spoke Mattis, Secretary Defense, of Secretary then the at th toxic so gotten had Operations
he leadership in Special Special in leadership he T ). network/ - blackmail - and - sex - group - forces - special - 7th - the - six - pic
was relieved of duty following allegations of sexual harassment sexual of allegations following duty of relieved was - https://sofrep.com/news/dick (
Special Forces Command Command Forces Special 1 of Major Sergeant Command the time, this during note, Of
st
curb this behavior. behavior. this curb
did nothing to to nothing did Command Operations Special this, of all Despite bond. on ase rele his and arrest,
release on bond. The military was aware of each time he was cited, his his cited, was he time each of aware was military The bond. on release his after again yet this
, he continued to throw unlawful parties at this junkyard, and was cited for for cited was and junkyard, this at parties unlawful throw to continued he , bail posted he After
in this case was arrested for for arrested was case this in perpetrator The shortly after Erin made her report. report. her made Erin after shortly rape
to interview these witnesses these interview to Department Police . Delta in status their of e becaus
he military refused to assist and did not not did and assist to refused military he t However, evidence. gather and the Fayetteville Fayetteville the allow
Local law enforcement enforcement law Local rape. Erin’s doing their due diligence and attempting to interview interview to attempting and diligence due their doing was
military for access to several other Service Members who were at the j the at were who Members Service other several to access for military of of night the unkyard
he tragedy of this story story this of tragedy he t And Next, local law enforcement asked the the asked enforcement law local Next, beginning. only was
members to throw parties at this junkyard. This blind eye led to Erin’s rape. rape. Erin’s to led eye blind This junkyard. this at parties throw to members
unlawful activity by one of their own, own, their of one by activity unlawful is th of aware being inued to allow Delta Delta allow to inued cont they
had previously been cited for for cited been previously had Erin, espite Special Operations Command Command Operations Special espite D activity. unlawful this
s and serving alcohol serving and s gathering hosting . The owner of the property, the Delta member that raped raped that member Delta the property, the of owner The .
the assault was place that had already been on their radar their on been already had that place was assault the unlawfully been had that junkyard a ,
immediately picked up the case and ran with it. They discovered that the location location the that discovered They it. with ran and case the up picked immediately artment Dep of of
ecause of our close relationships with local law enforcement, the enforcement, law local with relationships close our of ecause B Fayetteville Police Police Fayetteville
away. walked and investigation the in participating stopped
e, t e, rap of accused being was Force Delta of member a that learned military the after hey then then hey
he was currently in the military. After she reported, she quickly learned his status. And And status. his learned quickly she reported, she After military. the in currently was he know
petrator was. She did no did She was. petrator per the who idea no had she assault, her reported st fir she When t t
). scanlon/6290432/ - erin - vanesssa - guillen - vanessa
https://abc11.com/iamvanessaguillen ( did trial her with wrong go could that verything E - pfc -
tps://www.fayettevillenc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/3846/1969?arch=1&npage=32 ht ( . )
Force Delta of member a by assaulted sexually was who Scanlon,
lege of advocating for Er for advocating of lege privi the had I did. I And met. I person every and each on ct impa an in in
Nonetheless, I still carried on. I continued to advocate for my clients and tried to make make to tried and clients my for advocate to continued I on. carried still I Nonetheless,
Helping Survivors Exercise their Rights Rights their Exercise Survivors Helping
5
- sexual - reports - donnell - o - specials/video/pvG6A72KJKNGUq7YrWjirtgDX3v2BWG0/norah
- news - https://www.cbs.com/shows/cbs ( this on story a did subsequently
vening News with Nora O’Donnell O’Donnell Nora with News vening E CBS 2020. July in such for me terminated subsequently
, until they they until , years two next the for Leave Administrative on me aced pl and network unclassified
do you know what happened? They accused me of sending classified material over an an over material classified sending of me accused They happened? what know you do
. And And . concerns se the outlining Command Operations Special Army US of General Commanding
I wrote a letter to the the to letter a wrote I So, verdict. disappointing a to p u chalked be just couldn’t that trial
er the trial, I was deflated, to put it mildly. There were so many many so were There mildly. it put to deflated, was I trial, the er Aft injustices during this this during injustices
e care for her in any way. way. any in her for care e alon let
ever stand ever onstitutional right to an Attorney, Attorney, an to right onstitutional C her protect even couldn’t military The chance? a
At the end of the trial, the perpetrator was acquitted. But if were being honest, did Erin Erin did honest, being were if But acquitted. was perpetrator the trial, the of end the At
protections.
like SVC like didn’t already e Judg the s Constitutional Constitutional s ’ Erin aware tear to delighted med see he s, ’
that Erin that found ilitary m The . Erin since since and , ant irrelev was Attorney an to ht rig stitutional on C s ’
The Judge granted this motion, and the SVC did in fac in did SVC the and motion, this granted Judge The Erin. against testify could against against testify t
confidentiality between Erin and her SVC, and asked to put the SVC on the stand so the SVC SVC the so stand the on SVC the put to asked and SVC, her and Erin between confidentiality
e Defense, picking up on this hostility, motioned the court to to court the motioned hostility, this on up picking Defense, e Th want.” veil of of veil the pierce
, saying things such as “I guess you just think that you can do whatever you you whatever do can you that think just you guess “I as such things saying , (SVC) Counsel
ut it didn’t even end there. The Judge was openly hostile to her Special Victim’s Victim’s Special her to hostile openly was Judge The there. end even didn’t it ut B
with the utmost disrespect. disrespect. utmost the with treated
God and everyone to see. to everyone and God for stand, the on was she while She was berated, humiliated, and and humiliated, berated, was She
allowed the Defense to hold up her underwear in the courtroom, courtroom, the in underwear her up hold to Defense the allowed then Judge The stand. the on
thinking of her advocates, we were able to keep her conscious her keep to able were we advocates, her of thinking and then prepared her to go back back go to her prepared then and ,
packs on her and watched as her eyes began to roll roll to began eyes her as watched and her on packs he quick quick he t of Because head. her of back the to
mediately pulled her from the stand and tried to keep her from going into shock. We threw ice ice threw We shock. into going from her keep to tried and stand the from her pulled mediately im
called due to a panic attack on the stand the on attack panic a to due called nearly was ambulance At the Judge’s dismay, we we dismay, Judge’s the At .
. Erin was questioned for more than 8 hours 8 than more for questioned was Erin . horrific was trial the Bragg, Fort On , and an an and ,
Bragg. Fort to back case the release to agreed DA the Consequently,
isdiction to take a case off of their already robust case load case robust already their of off case a take to isdiction jur another allow to opportunity . .
realize the ill intent, but rather looked at this as an an as this at looked rather but intent, ill the realize didn’t time the at office DA’s The
post. on back
for rape, they were scrambling to get the trial trial the get to scrambling were they rape, for blicly pu tried to about was Delta of member a that
with this matter. But now now But matter. this with assist to nothing done had military the years, two last the For
base. on it prosecute and back case the take they that requested now and
, the military knocked on their door door their on knocked military the , trial gin be to set was DA the before week a Approximately
prepared the case for trial. trial. for case the prepared (DA) Attorney District the and on carried enforcement
Helping Survivors Exercise their Rights Rights their Exercise Survivors Helping
6
” if they had any feedback. Those not sitting sitting not Those feedback. any had they if ” seats cheap “the call I what in sitting folks the asked
After the rest of the Commanders talked about what they were doing, LTG LaCamera LaCamera LTG doing, were they what about talked Commanders the of rest the After
uniform.
ders wear yoga pants instead of their usual usual their of instead pants yoga wear ders cheerlea the have to going was he military, the in
in April. But because he was so conscious of sexual assault assault sexual of conscious so was he because But April. in e moral boost to post on heerleaders c
tated that he was going to bring the Tennessee Titans Titans Tennessee the bring to going was he that tated s and himself of proud pretty was General
to do for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. in Month Awareness Assault Sexual for do to Commanding Commanding Division Airborne 101 The
st
At this particular meeting, LTG LaCamera asked his Commanders what they had planned planned had they what Commanders his asked LaCamera LTG meeting, particular this At
intentioned. well quite actually is d an policy DoD
l the services that they need. This meeting is mandated by by mandated is meeting This need. they that services the l al provided been has Member Service
current open cases. There are no client names discussed, discussed, names client no are There cases. open current and the intent is to ensure that each each that ensure to is intent the and
SARB, it is a monthly meeting held at every at held meeting monthly a is it SARB, military installation where Commanders go over the the over go Commanders where installation military
by the Commanding General on Fort Bragg, LTG Paul LaCamera. Paul LTG Bragg, Fort on General Commanding the by For those unfamiliar with a a with unfamiliar those For
was placed on Administrative Leave, I attended a Sexual Ass Sexual a attended I Leave, Administrative on placed was hosted hosted (SARB) Board Review ault
But this isn’t the first time that a Senior Leader has trea has Leader Senior a that time first the isn’t this But Right before I I before Right way. this us ted
Don’t worry, I recorded the meeting and can make it available at your request. request. your at available it make can and meeting the recorded I worry, Don’t
laining looks like looks laining mansp of minutes ? ? military US the in leaders powerful most the of some by
you complain this much when local law enforcement makes a mistak a makes enforcement law local when much this complain you Want to hear what 45 45 what hear to Want e?”
Service Members faced. SMA Grinston said things such as “that just wouldn’t happen wouldn’t just “that as such things said Grinston SMA faced. Members Service ,” or “do “do or ,”
SMA Grinston simply didn’t believe didn’t simply Grinston SMA And us when we told stories about the retaliation our our retaliation the about stories told we when us
GEN Garrett would say things to us like “we’re not going to help you if you keep that atti that keep you if you help to going not “we’re like us to things say would Garrett GEN ude.” ude.” t
, they were unprepared were they , meeting our ring u D , dismissive, and extremely condescending. condescending. extremely and dismissive, ,
only to disregard our concerns and not action a single one of them. them. of one single a action not and concerns our disregard to only
with us to address our concerns. After her visit, GEN Garret and SMA Grinston m Grinston SMA and Garret GEN visit, her After concerns. our address to us with et with us, us, with et
Speier flew from California to Fort Bragg, met with them personally, and implored them to me to them implored and personally, them with met Bragg, Fort to California from flew Speier et et
Major of the Army. They agreed to meet with us only AFTER Congresswomen Jackie Jackie Congresswomen AFTER only us with meet to agreed They Army. the of Major Sergeant
on, who is now the the now is who on, st Grin SGM Major, Sergeant n the his and Command, Forces Army US of
star Commanding General General Commanding star - 4 the Garrett, GEN with met I ave, e L inistrative Adm on While
clients. my for advocating kept I fired, subsequently and Leave
placed on Adm on placed was I though even So slaughtered. be to clients my allow and sword inistrative inistrative
simply won’t let me lay down my my down lay me let won’t simply that me inside burns that fire ending - never a have I long.
stubborn as the days are are days the as stubborn as am I so Norway, from States United the to came amily f My
get. always we
lit, s ga and service lip got We for. advocating was I clients the of any with assist which is what what is which
pologize, or or pologize, a me, instate - re to taken was action no But . continue not could and unacceptable
responding that this conduct was was conduct this that responding Army the of Secretary the led which , ) military/ - the - in - assault
Helping Survivors Exercise their Rights Rights their Exercise Survivors Helping
7
assault? sexual their report to have they do incentive
When they see what is happening to those who are supposed to be advocating for them, what what them, for advocating be to supposed are who those to happening is what see they When
embers have? have? embers M Service our do recourse what then so, do to us for created itary mil the that
If a Victim Advocate cannot speak truth to power in the forum forum the in power to truth speak cannot Advocate Victim a If fired. subsequently and Leave,
was complete, I was immediately sent home, placed on Administrative Administrative on placed home, sent immediately was I complete, was SARB e th After
stroke your e your stroke to . go
in an effort effort an in installation your around unce bo women attractive of bunch a watching as important
as as isn’t that s gues I violence. sexual reporting to barriers ating cre not for much o S ). 443090
- campbell - fort - at - families - soldiers - with - t visi - itans https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/t (
did they bet You Month? Awareness Assault Sexual for
Airborne Division Division Airborne 101 the visit still erleaders che Titans Tennessee the did But closed. matter
st
Next, LTG LaCamera stated that he “could see both sides of the argument,” and the the and argument,” the of sides both see “could he that stated LaCamera LTG Next,
talk about how they are creating barriers for Service Members to report sexual violence. violence. sexual report to Members Service for barriers creating are they how about talk
lives for their brothers and sisters in arms, then they could ha could they then arms, in sisters and brothers their for lives ifficult conversation and and conversation ifficult d this ve
such a difficult conversation now. And that if they they if that And now. conversation difficult a such were truly trained to fight and lay down their their down lay and fight to trained truly were
some lasting change. I reminded the Commanding Generals that we were having having were we that Generals Commanding the reminded I change. lasting some make really
she would be conducting training that would encourage a robust dialogue so that they cou they that so dialogue robust a encourage would that training conducting be would she ld ld
awareness month, she talked about the “difficult conversations” that needed to be had, and that that and had, be to needed that conversations” “difficult the about talked she month, awareness
in the room. When asked what she was doing for sexual assault assault sexual for doing was she what asked When room. the in ommander C female only the
I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to hail the 44 the hail to moment a take didn’t I if remiss be would I Medical Brigade Commander, Commander, Brigade Medical
th
doing exactly what the military military the what exactly doing were do. to them paying was
Leaders in the room to save face, and further silence the strong advocates who who advocates strong the silence further and face, save to room the in Leaders Senior the allow
would be would that conversation a s wa this this up in an effort to to effort an in up this ed offer CID ” . offline “ held better
Next, the Lead CID agent decide agent CID Lead the Next, that that d state and feedback offer to his for time was it that d
ce and laughs at the sacrifice they have made. made. have they sacrifice the at laughs and ce servi their
combat. As someone who has lost more friends friends more lost has who someone As combat. on on spits statement this count, can I than overseas
talking about sexual violence in the military is the same as being shot at in in at shot being as same the is military the in violence sexual about talking that stated just world
rgest and most powerful fighting forces in the the in forces fighting powerful most and rgest la the one of l Genera Commanding the And zone.
additional payment that our Service Members are given when they are deployed to a combat combat a to deployed are they when given are Members Service our that payment additional an
Hazard pay? Are you kidding me? me? kidding you Are pay? Hazard conversation. this of part a be to pay” “hazard Hazard pay is is pay Hazard
e should be getting getting be should e h that stated d an in chimed General Commanding Division Airborne 82
nd
boost it would bring. Next, the the Next, bring. would it boost e moral the about talk to attempt and stumble, mumble, to began
Commanding G Commanding Division Airborne 101 The silent. went immediately room The eneral eneral
st
lence? vio sexual reporting to barriers any create would
Commanding General if he felt that bringing the Tennessee Titans cheerleaders on p on cheerleaders Titans Tennessee the bringing that felt he if General Commanding 101 the ost ost
st
Advocate on Fort Bragg. When LTG LaCamera finally asked for our input, I stood up and asked asked and up stood I input, our for asked finally LaCamera LTG When Bragg. Fort on Advocate
arly every Victim Victim every arly ne were seats cheap the in and seats, cheap the in are table head the at
Helping Survivors Exercise their Rights Rights their Exercise Survivors Helping
8
. She is dying and is currently currently is and dying is She . terminal condition her made has pits burn to exposure for care her
she is now receiving Veteran’s Benefits, but the delay in in delay the but Benefits, Veteran’s receiving now is she and upgraded, been since has discharge
that she endured in a combat zone. Her Her zone. combat a in endured she that rape violent a reported she after statement false a making
that was exposed to burn pits, and then kicked out of the military after she was accused of of accused was she after military the of out kicked then and pits, burn to exposed was that
I currently have a client client a have currently I with? begin to process this through Members Service our put why But
ies such as this, I can easily get their discharges upgraded. upgraded. discharges their get easily can I this, as such ies polic of because and out, s Member
not a problem that the DoD is unaware of. They quickly k quickly They of. unaware is DoD the that problem a not clearly is his T our Service Service our ick
sault. as sexual prior a of basis the on upgrade discharge a for petitioning when submit to able
l of leeway in the evidence that they are are they that evidence the in leeway of l dea great a Veteran the allows that ) Boards.pdf - Review
- Discharge - Military - to - Guidance - ov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/Clarifying https://dod.defense.g (
issued the following policy guidance guidance policy following the issued
ut of the military for reporting their rape. Because of this, they have have they this, of Because rape. their reporting for military the of ut o Members Service kicking
he Department of Defense is more than aware that they have a problem of of problem a have they that aware than more is Defense of Department he t Ironically,
deserve. and earned hey’ve t
upgrade their discharge, and once successful, I help them apply for the Veterans Benefits that that Benefits Veterans the for apply them help I successful, once and discharge, their upgrade
for Veterans Benefits. Veterans for ineligible them ions for Military Records to to Records Military for ions Correct of Board the petition I
, and they were kick were they and , statement false a making This in turn made made turn in This result. a as military the of out ed
sexual assault. When they reported the assault, assault, the reported they When assault. sexual a ing report for military CID charged them with with them charged CID
who have faced retaliation for reporting. Many of my clients were actually kicked out of the the of out kicked actually were clients my of Many reporting. for retaliation faced have who
. ) http://combatsexualassault.org/ ( bers and Veterans Veterans and bers Mem Service current for advocate now I
sexual trauma by helping them overcome barriers to obtaining justi obtaining to barriers overcome them helping by trauma sexual ce
t, a non a t, Assaul Sexual Combat founded I profit organization that empowers survivors of military military of survivors empowers that organization profit -
I still fight, undeterred and unshaken. In an effort to continue to help others, others, help to continue to effort an In unshaken. and undeterred fight, still I why is This
whatsoever.
o teeth, and Senior Leaders that skirt the system can do so without any accountability accountability any without so do can system the skirt that Leaders Senior and teeth, o n have
have none. The policies and procedures that the mil the that procedures and policies The none. have we that is answer The itary has put into place place into put has itary
have? What recourse do my Service Members have? have? Members Service my do recourse What have? I do recourse what ask, I again So
claims. legitimate very and
to retire so that they don’t have to action any of my very real real very my of any action to have don’t they that so retire to Leaders Senior these for waiting
, they state they are working on it. What are they working on? What they are doing is is doing are they What on? working they are What it. on working are they state they , update n a
correspondence of any kind. Every time I email the email I time Every kind. any of correspondence or , letter closure a with me provided to get get to m
sworn statement, and has not not has and statement, sworn my get to me call to yet has IG The . ago years hree t this about
I filed an IG complaint complaint IG an filed I Well, concerns. my address and into look ptly prom would IG the that
d file a complaint with the I the with complaint a file d coul I that wrong, am I that you tell will military The and and G
None. accountable. them hold that procedures available
to sweep sexual assault under the rug. This can happen because there are no no are there because happen can This rug. the under assault sexual sweep to Commanders
ther isolates our Service Members and further allows our our allows further and Members Service our isolates ther fur It none. is answer The
Helping Survivors Exercise their Rights Rights their Exercise Survivors Helping
9
her her denying by down needs. she that treatment health mental proper the
quickly swept her allegations of sexual assault under the rug, and the and rug, the under assault sexual of allegations her swept quickly break Thae Thae break to continue y
She remains in solitary confinement as her rapist remains free. remains rapist her as confinement solitary in remains She The Marine Corps Corps Marine The
. remains she
where where , 2020 , 19 June on confinement solitary in brig the in her placed and murder, pted attem
th
herself into a mental health facility, the Marine Corps picked her up, upcharged her with with her upcharged up, her picked Corps Marine the facility, health mental a into herself
local law enforcement released Thae, and after she checked checked she after and Thae, released enforcement law local After . Corps Marine the for except
. That is, is, That . y recover her in her supported parties all And it. new k boyfriend then Her it. knew
to her residence when she attempted suicide. She needed help, and local law enforcement enforcement law local and help, needed She suicide. attempted she when residence her to called
been been previously had authorities local the and decline, rapid in was health mental Thae’s
released her so that she could che could she that so her released facility. health mental a into ck
local authorities arrested her on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge violence domestic misdemeanor a on her arrested authorities local and immediately immediately and
After having a flashback a having After Pentagon. the at professional , , boyfriend then her on out lashing and
Thae was raped by her supervisor, a fellow M fellow a supervisor, her by raped was Thae rape. arine who currently serves as a legal legal a as serves currently who arine
is a Marine who is currently in solitary confinement after a PTSD flashback of her her of flashback PTSD a after confinement solitary in currently is who Marine a is Thae
right and relentlessly reports the wrongs done against her. her. against done wrongs the reports relentlessly and right
What has happened to Thae is what happ what is Thae to happened has What ens when a strong woman of color stands up for what is is what for up stands color of woman strong a when ens
And last, but certainly not least, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention C mention didn’t I if remiss be would I least, not certainly but last, And Ohu. Thae pl
our Service Members currently fac currently Members Service our e.
simply transfer her to a new new a to her transfer simply to exists base? This is incredulous, and further highlights the plight plight the highlights further and incredulous, is This base?
finds enough evidence to issue a protective protective a issue to evidence enough finds but the military feels that no such evidence evidence such no that feels military the but order,
I say again, what recourse do our Service Members hav Members Service our do recourse what again, say I So, e? Where a civilian Judge Judge civilian a Where e?
assistance.
Assault Prevention and Response Offic Response and Prevention Assault the IG upheld Command’s decision and offered her no no her offered and decision Command’s upheld IG the e,
She then filed an IG complaint, and even with the backing and support of the DoD Sexual Sexual DoD the of support and backing the with even and complaint, IG an filed then She
ed. assault not was she and consensual, was sex the
transfer the denied command er H what? guess And command. f o chain retaliatory stating that that stating
and the the and perpetrator the from y awa , unit another to Transfer Expedited an requested then
Judge even checked the box that the basis of the protective order was for “sexual assault.” She She assault.” “sexual for was order protective the of basis the that box the checked even Judge
tective Order. The The Order. tective Pro Civilian a granted was and courthouse local the to went she this, of all
erpetrator and placed her life in danger. After After danger. in life her placed and erpetrator p the to location her disclosed they report, to not
pervisor, was immediately retaliated against by Command. They tried to get her her get to tried They Command. by against retaliated immediately was pervisor, su her by raped
after reporting that she was being being was she that reporting after who client another have I one. only the not she’s But
me. kidding be to
violent rape? You have got got have You rape? violent a reported she because All what? for And time. borrowed on living
Helping Survivors Exercise their Rights Rights their Exercise Survivors Helping
10
end.
enemy and not not and enemy the fight to military your want You right? worry about being sued on the back back the on sued being about worry
sense, Makes battle. of heat the in decision bad a made they if Commanders their sue to able
When it was decided in World War II, the idea was that they didn’t want Service Members to be be to Members Service want didn’t they that was idea the II, War World in decided was it When
ase that was actually was that ase c Court Supreme a is Doctrine Feres The entioned. entioned. int well quite
Doctrine.” “Feres the as coined been has what to due Members
giving them a strong incentive to do the right thing. No such protections exist for our Service Service our for exist protections such No thing. right the do to incentive strong a them giving
tion knows this, thus thus this, knows tion corpora The s. damage for corporation the sue could I then rug, the under
corporation did not follow its own policies and procedures and negligently swept this crime crime this swept negligently and procedures and policies own its follow not did corporation
could show that the the that show could and job the on raped was and corporation other any for worked I If
negligence. heir t
Our Service Members and Veterans need a path a need Veterans and Members Service Our monetary damages for for damages monetary for military the sue to
path that actually holds these leaders accountable. And this process needs to be outside of DoD. DoD. of outside be to needs process this And accountable. leaders these holds actually that path
when our Servic our when And crimes. these investigation e Members experience retaliation, they need a a need they retaliation, experience Members e
cannot be a part of the adjudication process. This is why they can’t be in charge of reporting or or reporting of charge in be can’t they why is This process. adjudication the of part a be cannot
no incentive to do the right thing when they control the process. the control they when thing right the do to incentive no This is why our commanders commanders our why is This
Senior Leaders are well aware that they will not be held accountable accountable held be not will they that aware well are Leaders Senior s. They have have They s. action their for
and retaliating against Service Members are not lower lower not are Members Service against retaliating and enlisted, they are our Senior Leaders. Our Our Leaders. Senior our are they enlisted,
t a crossroads. Those that are sweeping these allegations under the rug rug the under allegations these sweeping are that Those crossroads. a t a are we sum, In
hearing/ - martial - court
https://thewarhorse.org/senior - ohu - thae - defendant - ridicules - counsel - legal - corps - marine -
yacqaoiwzfakjg6abfve4lqen4 l story.htm -
https://www.pilotonline.com/military/vp - 20201110 - order - gag - ohu - thae - nw -
investigation/ - ohu - hae t - victim - assault
woman - silences - corps - marine - order - gag - https://thewarhorse.org/retaliation - sexual -
usticeforthaeohu.org/ https://j
Her story has been covered at length at the below links: links: below the at length at covered been has story Her occur. to this allow to happy
eems more than than more eems s Corps Marine the and suicide to her lose may we that fear We needs. she
the treatment that that treatment the receive can she that so release immediate her for advocating are We
Pentagon. the at working currently professional legal coming and
ng one of their own, an up up an own, their of one ng reporti For what? for and treatment, medical proper her denied up,
t now, they’ve locked her her locked they’ve now, t Ye so. do to process the begun had and PTSD for Thae retire medically
the military themselves acknowledged the need to to need the acknowledged themselves military the brig, the in placed being her to Prior
Helping Survivors Exercise their Rights Rights their Exercise Survivors Helping
11
possibly be executed in a fair and unbiased way? The answer is is answer The way? unbiased and fair a in executed be possibly it can How process. entire the
ury, Prosecution, Defense, and and Defense, Prosecution, ury, J Judge, the of charge in be to military the allow we But mistrial.
any courtroom in America, it would automatically result in a a in result automatically would it America, in courtroom any in happened that If law. the
the Prosecution and telling them that they want the Defendant prosecuted to the fullest extent of of extent fullest the to prosecuted Defendant the want they that them telling and Prosecution the
uld be like the Judge i Judge the like be uld wo It process. the to close too are they because n a civilian trial looking at at looking trial civilian a n
ven when the military tries to hold those accountable, they just can’t. They can’t can’t They can’t. just they accountable, those hold to tries military the when ven E
). assault/6557033/ - sexual - army - subordinate - affair - general
- story/news/nation/2014/03/20/sinclair s://www.usatoday.com/ http ( justice face to Sinclair
ted because the Commanding General for XVIII Airborne Corps wanted BG BG wanted Corps Airborne XVIII for General Commanding the because ted acquit was He
nate. nate. subordi female his raping with charged was he when Division Airborne 82 the of Sinclair
nd
. Don’t believe me? That’s exactly what happened with Brigade General General Brigade with happened what exactly That’s me? believe Don’t . result a as acquitted
Commanding General that raped his subordinate subordinate his raped that General Commanding the and influence,” command able to be be to able be will
the Commander is also a part of the judicial process, this this process, judicial the of part a also is Commander the because But seen as “undue “undue as seen is
victim, investigate fully, and action these claims. claims. these action and fully, investigate victim,
what I want my commander to say. I want them to believe the the believe to them want I say. to commander my want I what exactly that’s but , you about
the accused Commanding General Commanding accused the wants I don’t know know don’t I , Well fullest. the to prosecuted be to
And let’s say that this Commander is livid, orders a thorough investigation, and that states that he he that states that and investigation, thorough a orders livid, is Commander this that say let’s And
Commanding Generals is sex is Generals Commanding his of one far more junior officers. officers. junior more far their of one assaulting ually
This is the Soldier of Soldiers who always makes the right choice. And let’s say he learns that that learns he say let’s And choice. right the makes always who Soldiers of Soldier the is This
moment that we have a Commander that Commander a have we that moment burn. burn. sun a you gives it that bright so shines integrity ’s
I’ll leave you with this last example to really drive this point this drive really to example last this with you leave I’ll ay for a a for ay s just Let’s home.
lem. How much more data do do data more much How lem. prob this handle cannot ey th d? nee really we
be handing sexual assault, rape, or any other violent crime. violent other any or rape, assault, sexual handing be eady demonstrated that that demonstrated eady r al ave h ey h T
work, or when their Service Members fail a drug test. But under no circumstances should they they should circumstances no under But test. drug a fail Members Service their when or work,
would be considered a misdemeanor anywhere else. The else. anywhere misdemeanor a considered be would showing up to to up showing not DWIs, eep k can y
fired by now. And were not asking that they take away Command authority from crimes that that crimes from authority Command away take they that asking not were And now. by fired
way we measure their success at winning wars, hundreds of Senior Leaders would have been been have would Leaders Senior of hundreds wars, winning at success their measure we way
sexual assault the s the assault sexual handling at success their measured we If working. be would it working, ame ame
under control by now. If it was was it If now. by control under be would it control, under this had they if Moreover,
? worse any deteriorate it could how time, the all
raping our Service Members Members Service our raping are they if ask, I d An . discipline and order good deteriorate would
Now the military will tell you that his level of accountability is a bad idea, and that it it that and idea, bad a is accountability of level his that you tell will military the Now
lies. problem
, this is where the the where is this , military the in incentive such no is there since and , ted protec are nterparts cou
But their civilian civilian their But recourse. much afforded aren’t clients our assaulted, being reporting for folks
he military is now the largest employer in the world, and if they are retaliating against against retaliating are they if and world, the in employer largest the now is military he T
Helping Survivors Exercise their Rights Rights their Exercise Survivors Helping
12
2230 - 907 (919)
Assault Sexual Combat
Director Executive
Lindsey Knapp, Esq Knapp, Lindsey .
Respectfully,
request. upon available
questions and feedback. Any and all substantiating documents to corroborate my claims is is claims my corroborate to documents substantiating all and Any feedback. and questions
Thank you for taking the time to read my read to time the taking for you Thank your for by standing humbly am I input.
Members.
held too. They need to stop acting like they are above the law, and and law, the above are they like acting stop to need They too. held to care for our Service Service our for care to
to the same standard that all of their civilian counterparts are being being are counterparts civilian their of all that standard same the to held be to need They s. action
leaders need to be removed from this process, and they need to be hel be to need they and process, this from removed be to need leaders for their their for accountable d
already have all the data that they need. And the the And need. they that data the all have already all points to same conclusion. Military Military conclusion. same to points all data
llions of dollars for study after study. study. after study for dollars of llions mi paid have They No more studies are needed. They They needed. are studies more No
In sum, if the military could have fixed this problem, they would have done it by now. now. by it done have would they problem, this fixed have could military the if sum, In
pocketbooks their in Commanders irradicated? be would issue this fast how imagine just ,
s incredulous. And if if And incredulous. s i This . ) prevention - assault re able to hit our our hit to able re we Members Service
g/newshour/show/victim https://www.pbs.or ( - sexual - on - f - an - gets - military - s - u - say - advocates -
enemy the by killed be to than own their of one by raped
The military has already acknowledged that their Service Members are more likely to be be to likely more are Members Service their that acknowledged already has military The
rape? up covering are they when accountable
ve to sacrifice holding their leaders leaders their holding sacrifice to ve ha now they should Why military. the in serve to rights
in the United States is protected. Our Service Members have already sacrificed so many o many so sacrificed already have Members Service Our protected. is States United the in f their their f
Doctrine so that our Service Members can be protected the same way that every other American American other every that way same the protected be can Members Service our that so Doctrine
leaders accountable. By getting rid of of rid getting By accountable. leaders their hold to path a Veterans and Members the Feres Feres the
command, and by giving Service Service giving by and command, of chain the of outside process entire this takes that legislation
comprehensive comprehensive passing - by s ’ It out? way the is what asking be may you point, this At
world. free the in leader best the is process
s charge of the the of charge s i that Commander the when work even can’t it And can’t. just It can’t. it that
Helping Survivors Exercise their Rights Rights their Exercise Survivors Helping