A bipartisan bill has been introduced to allow US service members to sue the military over sexual assault and harassment. The Military Sexual Trauma Accountability Act, co-sponsored by Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Sen. John Kennedy, aims to provide service members with a means to seek justice for these crimes.
Background
The US military has long struggled with addressing sexual assault and harassment within its ranks. A report from fiscal year 2024 showed that the Defense Department received 8,195 reports of sexual assault from service members, 320 fewer than in 2023. A recent high-profile case at Fort Hood, Texas, has highlighted the need for such legislation, where an Army gynecologist has been accused of secretly recording patients and conducting unnecessary procedures.
The proposed bill would enable service members to sue the military in cases of rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact, sexual assault of a child, sexual harassment, and the wrongful distribution of intimate images. Currently, a 1950 Supreme Court decision prevents service members from suing the military for injuries arising from military service.
Support and Concerns
Sens. Shaheen and Kennedy believe that this legislation is necessary to root out negligence and provide service members with the ability to pursue every possible avenue for legal recourse. However, concerns have been raised about the potential cost to the government, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating that 120,000 people may file successful claims under this bill within the first 10 years.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
