Help for military victims of sexual assult in the Senate defense bill , it passed the House earlier

[karynnj]

It is amazing that there is still a need for a bill like this.

Earlier this year, Representative Niki Tsongas, the lone woman in the Bay State’s congressional delegation, won House approval of similar legislation that would give victims of sexual assault in the military, mostly women, the right to legal counsel, confidentiality and transfer to another base. It would also expand programs to prevent sexual assaults within the military’s ranks.
<snip>
“Sexual assault has no place in our society, and when its victims are Americans who put their lives on the line in defense of our country, it’s particularly appalling,” said Kerry, a veteran of the Vietnam War.

Kerry is the author and lead sponsor of the Senate bill, while Susan Collins was the lead Republican sponsor.

[saras]

1. Good news? That both sides agreed on? That's nothing to sneeze at.

In our present condition, I can think of hundreds of things we shouldn't still need but do. Getting any of them back is good news.

Not only do we need this, it isn't enough. But it's good.

[karynnj]

2. Agree completely

I wasn't minimizing the importance. One would think though that as the US has been at war for nearly a decade, with any women serving in combat and many articles on how badly treated women who were raped were treated, you would have thought something like this could/should have passed years ago.

[Raine1967]

3. Link please?

I would like to read the entire article.

Aside from that -- K&R

[karynnj]

4. Oops. I thought I had it, but obviously messed up in editing

http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2011/12/senate-approves-protections-for-victims-sexual-assaults-the-military/OYiPCriQdufDmiC1kqCBSL/index.html

[politicasista]

5. delete n/t

:kick: