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 revealed that the Defense Department received 8,195 reports of sexual assault from service members, which is 320 fewer than in 2023.

A recent high-profile case at Fort Hood, Texas, has brought attention to this issue. An Army gynecologist has been accused by dozens of women of secretly recording patients, conducting unnecessary procedures, and other forms of sexual misconduct.

The proposed bill would enable service members to file lawsuits against the military for sexual assault, harassment, and other related crimes. Currently, a 1950 Supreme Court decision prohibits service members from suing the military for injuries arising from military service.

Support for the Bill

Sens. Shaheen and Kennedy believe that this bill is necessary to provide service members with the ability to pursue every possible avenue for legal recourse. They argue that it is essential to root out negligence and ensure that those responsible for these crimes are held accountable.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that within the first 10 years of the legislation being active, 120,000 people would file successful claims under this bill. This highlights the prevalence of the problem and the need for a solution.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.