Congresswoman: progress in military sexual assault

A new report found sexual assaults in the military has increased 50 percent in the last year. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter says progress has been made but there is still a long way to go. She spoke Wednesday at the CDS Monarch Warrior Salute Symposium at Nazareth College. “They shouldn’t have to be worried about the people they serve attacking them,” said Slaughter. “We’ve come a long way from the beginning when young women told me at the hearing their commanders would say to them, ‘You don’t want to ruin that young man’s career?’ and that was the attitude they had. We’ve come a long way since then, but we still have a long way to go.” Slaughter also said a big success in dealing with military assaults was a bill passed by Congress in 2012. It allows victims who report an assault to request a base transfer. Their case is reviewed within 72 hours and they can appeal a negative decision.