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2013 Oscar Nominated Film
Movie Documentary
"Military Sexual Assault & Rape"
Epic Film about Military Sexual Assault & Trauma Survivors: They were incredible soldiers and then, when they were assaulted, they had the courage to come forward — even though many people advised them not to," Dick says. If you have been a victim of this or your know someone that has; this is a must see for all military & veteran women. We speak with Survivors, Trina McDonald, Kori Cioca, Brian Lewis & many more. Film won Audience Award for U.S. Documentary at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah and Oscar Nomination for Best Documentary in 2013. I dare you not to get enraged... Watch Trailer Now
WATCH FULL MOVIE NOW on NetFlix or Amazon Instant Video
August 15, 2013
CNN | The Situation Room | Army general faces rare court-martial An illicit affair between an Army general and junior officer ultimately leads to allegations of sexual abuse.
August 10, 2013 | Length 3:32
Senator Gillibrand is 100% speaking the voices of the victims. This senator is incredible and we love you for your passion. She spoke in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee in support of the Military Justice Improvement Act. (LISTEN TO HER WORDS)
August 9, 2013 | Length 13:07
by JAISAL NOOR, TRNN PRODUCER: The Real News Network
Watch | JENNIFER NORRIS, VICTIM ADVOCATE, MILITARY RAPE CRISIS CENTER:
Now joining us to unpack this and respond to this latest news is Jennifer Norris. She has served 15 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired for PTSD due to military sexual trauma. She started working for the Military Rape Crisis Center as a national victim advocate for active duty and veterans in 2011, and she's testified before Congress to support the passage of the Military Justice Improvement Act and STOP Act.
August 9th, 2013 | Length 9:46
Hosted by: Josh Zepps | HuffPost Live
United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand @SenGillibrand (D-NY) joins HuffPost Live to discuss her push to reform the military justice system. Democratic Senator from New York; Sponsoring Bill on Sexual Assault in the Military #MJIA Military Justice Improvement Act - "Survivor Supported Bill"
August 9th, 2013 | PART 2 | The Daily Show
[Watch Video] Mediaite: Military Sexual Assault Epidemic And The ‘Old Men’ Doing Nothing To Stop It
Mediate comments on John Oliver’s disgust of military sexual assault and his interview with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand who is leading the charge against the epidemic:
August 8th, 2013 | PART 1 | The Daily Show
[VIDEO] The Daily Show: Interview with Senator Gillibrand
Aug 6, 2013 | Length 16:45
Judy Bell & Jennifer Norris have a indepth discussion about Military Sexual Assault & Senator Gillibrands Bill "Military Justice Improvement Act" with Gary Rosenberg. Also they encourage all civilans, military & survivors, that haven't seen, the 2013 Oscar Nominated Film, "The Invisible War" to seek it out on Netflixs or Amazon to watch it.
Follow these MST/MSA Survivors & Advocates on Twitter: Judy Bell @JudyABell, Jennifer Norris @MSTJustice4ALL & Military Rape Crisis Center @MilitaryRape.
August 1, 2013 | Length 8:46
Warning: I was to intently upset, re-victimized & left feeling hopeless after viewing this interview. I cried for hours because of them. I deliberated wether I should add this Video Interview or not to our site. The interviews are with Senator Claire McCaskill & Senator Kelly Ayotte. These two decided to turn their back on us; and not to protect all survivors, which would allow reporting & procesutions to increase. They instead decided to align themselve with the Military Brass Leaderships, who refuses to let go of control of the"Chain of Command" with regard to violent sex crimes. I never the less, decided to include the video, so everyone could see what we were up against.
Survivors Views: Survivors and current active military victims of Military Sexaul Assault & Rape agree & have supported only Senator Gillibrands Bill (MJIA) S967 Military Justice Improvement Act and Representative Jackie Speier's Bill (STOPAct) HR 1593 STOP Act, both of which takes reporting of sexual assault & rape out of the "Chain of Command" to protect all victims from retaliation and threats of collateral charges, that were out of the control of the victims. Which would make them feel safe enough to report sex crimes.
"Triggering" Watch Interview: These two think the debate continues over the best and most effective ways to curb rampant sexual assault in the military. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H. , back a plan that includes reform but keeps the adjudication of assault cases within the military chain of command. They are falling on the wrong side of history and have alienated almost all current victims & survivors.
WE DO NOT ENDORSE THE VIEWS OF THESE TWO SENATORS
Click Links to Senators Contact Forms and send them a message about what you think. We Have!
July 30 2013 3:13 PM EDT 14:53
What's being done about sexual assault in the military?
— Nia-Malika Henderson talks to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who has introduced legislation to take reporting of military sexual assaults outside the chain of command. Nia also talks to Taryn Meeks and Brian Lewis from "Protect Our Defenders", a victims advocacy organization.
(The Washington Post)
July 16, 2013
Senator Ted Cruz from Texas, just held a great press conference today. He breathes new life and hope into the "#MJIA". He signs onto the "Military Justice Improvement Act" and decides to stand with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and many whom desperately want the Reporting of Military Sexual Assault to be removed from the "Chain of Command." #StandWithGillibrand
Click Here to Sign Petition.
Published on June 1, 2013
Documentary Movie about Male Military Sexaul Assault
PLEASE. Help these men tell their story! WATCH THE TRAILER
PLEASE. Help these men tell their story!
It gives us great pleasure to announce the World Premiere showing of Justice Denied, Saturday June 8th at 6:30 pm at the Albuquerque Film and Media Experience. It’s been a long journey, and now we are about to enter a new phase,
Interview on KOB-TV's Eye On New Mexico
Justice Denied Producer Geri Lynn Weinstein Matthews and MST survivor husband, Michael Matthews talk about the movie and the issue which it explores, Sexual Assault of Men in the Military.
Their interview starts at 2:17min.
click photo to play interniew
Lastest News and Media Coverage on
Military Sexual Assault & Trauma
Lastest News and Media Coverage on
Military Sexual Assault & Trauma
video report date | June 09, 2013
Length 5:07
The rise of the women senators on "Up" with Steve Kornacki explains how women senators gave voice to military sexual assault victims during this week’s hearing in front of the Armed Services Committee, which was compromised of mostly men. Kornacki explains how the hearing resembled the infamous Thomas/Hill hearings.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Report Date | Jun 6, 2013
Segment Starts at 2:50min into Clip
Abby Martin Breaks the Set on Sexual Assault Surging in the Military
Great Interview with Survivor & Advocate, Jennifer Norris
EPISODE BREAKDOWN: On this episode of Breaking the Set, Abby Martin talks to Jennifer Norris, national victim advocate with the Military Rape Crisis Center, about her experience as a victim of sexual assault in the US Air force, and about lawmakers' efforts to curb the recent surge in sexual violence. Abby then calls out the corporate press for failing to expose the real reasons why Susan Rice is a controversial pick for Obama's national security advisor. BTS wraps up the show with a look at a brief history of the Bilderberg conference, the power players in attendance at this year's event, and talks to BTS producer, Manuel Rapalo, about the implications the secrecy surrounding the event has.
video report date | May 26, 2013
Length 0:16
Lindsey Graham On Military Sexual Assaults: Straight to the point...
"Women Are 'Putting Up With Too Much Crap" (VIDEO)
VIDEO REPORT DATE: May 29, 2013 Length 10:23
Broadside: Niki Tsongas discusses sexual assault in the military
(NECN) - Jim Braude’s first guest on Broadside Wednesday night was Representative Niki Tsongas from Massachusetts’ 3rd district. The two of them discussed the bill moving through congress which Tsongas sponsors to try to curb instances of sexual assault in the armed services.
The estimate of the number of sexual assaults in the military increased 37 percent from 2011 to 2012, up to approximately 26,000 incidents. Just a fraction of those were reported, and only 238 led to convictions.
"To be assaulted in the first place is a betrayal of the trust that you bring to your service," Tsongas said. "You’re seeking to serve your country – put your life at risk. It’s an astonishing thing that you’re assaulted by one of your own. But then it is compounded through the system, the way in which the commanders deal with it, too often brushing it under the rug."
Tags: Jim Braude, legislation, military, politics, sexual assault, Niki Tsongas
Watch Preventing and Prosecuting Sexual Assault in the Military on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.
May 8, 2013, 6:17 AM
Obama: No tolerance for sexual assault in military
Sexual Assault Training Oversight and Prevention Act
Summary:
This legislation takes the reporting, oversight, investigation, and victim care of sexual assaults out of the hands of the normal chain of command and places jurisdiction in the hands of an autonomous Sexual Assault Oversight and Response Office. This Office will be comprised of civilian and military experts. The legislation also creates a sexual assault database within DoD that will be required to share information with DoJ civilian sexual offender database.
Establishment of a Sexual Assault Oversight and Response Office within the Department of Defense All duties and staff focused on response to sexual assault that are now covered by the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office will be moved to the new Office.
The Office will: Work with various Military investigative organizations to investigate cases of sexual assault; Ensure that victims are given safety, security, and a place to communicate their experiences. Have the authority to reassign a victim to separate them from their assailant.
Create a new method of reporting sexual assault that takes it out of the hands of the normal chain of command; The Military Criminal Investigative Organizations will report directly to the Sexual Response Office. Work with the different branches of the military to provide contact information for the Sexual Assault. Grievance Board for offense reporting and written guidelines regarding who to contact including a direct telephone number.
Establishment of a Sexual Assault Oversight and Response Council in the Department of Defense The Council will appoint personnel to the Sexual Assault Response Office, and advise the Office. The Secretary of Defense will appoint two members who must have served as military judges. The President will appoint one member from the Department of Justice, one member who has experience advocating for the rights of those sexually assaulted in the military, and one member who has expertise working on civilian cases of sexual assault. They will also report annually to Congress.
Establishment of a Director of Military Prosecutions. The Director will have final and independent authority to oversee the prosecution of all sexual- related offenses. They will also have the authority to request that a case be sent to an appellate court within the DoD or referred to the Department of Justice.
Removal of cases of sexual assault from the chain of command in the military.
This provision explicitly takes control of sexual assault cases out of the hands of base commanders and places jurisdiction within the Sexual Assault Oversight and Response Office. This provision also takes away the possibility of non-judicial punishment or the consideration of service when looking at the perpetrator. Sexual offender database.
This provision directs the Department of Defense to collect and maintain information regarding sexual assaults in the U.S. Armed Forces. Upon a conviction of sexual assault this information will be sent to the Department of Justice to become a part of the National Sex Offender Registry.
Thank you Jennifer Norris and Jessica Hinves for your constant action, voice and bringing awareness. Your testimonies were incredible!
On 01/23/2013
Hearing was held on Military Sexual Trauma. Jennifer Norris spoke before the Armed Services Committee - Buck McKeon/Chairman on a "Review of Sexual Assault & Misconduct by MTI at Lackland Air Force Base. She is a survivor and a SHero for all of us survivors. Jennifer Norris is a Board Member with Protect Our Defenders and Constant Advocate for Military Sexual Trauma. Also recognized during the hearing was Jessica Hinves an Advocate and a Survivor Deplicted in "The Invisible War" Movie. Broadcast C-Span
Jennifer Norris is a MST Survivor & Advocate.
follow news on social media
TSgt Jennifer Norris, USAF Ret (1996-2010), Join me on Facebook & Twitter for all the latest legislative efforts to stop military rape. If you need helpwww.stopmilitaryrape.org
2012 Department of DefenseMilitary Sexual Assault Annual Reports & Statistics
DoD Annual Report
Section 577(f) of Public Law (PL) 108-375 requires the Department of Defense to submit an annual report on sexual assault in the Military to Congress.
The report is divided into the following major sections: DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Overview, Program Highlights, Aggregate Report of Sexual Assault Incidents, Way Ahead for Program and Strategic Observations.
- Fiscal Year 2012 Volume One (26 MB)
- Fiscal Year 2012 Volume Two (8.5 MB)
- Fiscal Year 2011 (28 MB)
- Fiscal Year 2010 Summary (12.5 MB)
- Fiscal Year 2009 (23.2 MB) |
- Fiscal Year 2009 Summary (390 KB)
- Fiscal Year 2008 (1.3 MB) |
- Fiscal Year 2008 Case Synopsis (0.2 MB)
- Fiscal Year 2007 (0.9 MB)
- Calendar Year 2006 (5.32 MB)
- Calendar Year 2005 (2.34 MB)
- Calendar Year 2004 (5.85 MB)
Annual Report on Sexual Harassment & Assault
U.S. Military Service Academies
Academies provide data on reported sexual assaults involving cadets and/or midshipmen, as well as policies, procedures and processes implemented in response to sexual harassment and violence during the Academic Program Year.
MST Support & Advocates
Protect Our Defenders (POD)
Justice for MST Survivors (MST Advocate)
Service Women Action Network (SWAN)
Military Rape Crisis Center (MRCC)
VetWow Videos by Susan Avila-Smith
Invisible No More (Take Action)
Male Survivors (MST)
Jennifer S. Norris (MST/PTSD) Survivor & Advocate
MST Other Resources
Military Sexual Offenders Registry
Military Sexual Trauma VA BENIFITS
Air Force calls number of sex assaults appalling
Air Force officials find porn, beer bong in base
Air Force responds to sex scandal policy changes
InvisibleWarMovie.com (Documentary 2013) Oscar Nominated Movie on Sexual Assault in the Military (Director Kirby Dick)
Justice Denied Movie (Documentary 2013) Premiere | June 2013 | Male Military Sexual Assault
Justice Denied (Facebook) Support for Male Survivors
Published on Aug 13, 2013
Published on Aug 13, 2013
Video of MST Survivors & Victims
that didn't make it.
Some of the things we were told when we reported our assaults and even some anonymous information from a former Military recruiter. Negative and disrespectful comments will be deleted!
Military Sexual Assault & Trauma Support & Advocacy
Mission: To honor, support, and give voice to the brave men and women in uniform who have been raped or sexually assaulted by fellow service members. We seek to fix the military training, investigation and adjudication systems related to sexual violence, systems that often re-victimize survivors by blaming them while failing to prosecute perpetrators.
Our WorkOur effort is directly informed by our work with victims, survivors, their families and retired military.
We research and expose dysfunction in the military training, investigation, adjudication and veterans service systems related to rape, sexual assault and harassment.
We want to educate the public and policy makers on the problems related to these issues along with potential solutions. Sexual violence in the military is often not adequately investigated or prosecuted and victims are often blamed, pushed out of the service and denied benefits... Read More
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Lastest News and Media Coverage
Military Sexual Assault & Trauma
published Friday, June 6, 2013
Survivor & Advocate, Trina McDonald sent me an email today about her visit to Washington, DC on Tuesday.
"I survived sexual assault when I served in the Navy. On Tuesday, I went to Washington, D.C., and told Congress that they must deliver justice for me and other survivors now." ~Trina
I 'm sure she won't mind me sharing her letter.
Dear Pam,
I had a long day Tuesday, but it was well worth it.
I traveled to Washington, D.C., for the first time in my life to carry my message of removing prosecutions of military sexual assaults from the military chain of command, with the support of more than 215,000 MoveOn members and supporters from the Courage Campaign. I started my MoveOn petition campaign more six weeks ago, and it was time to get answers from Congress.
I survived multiple sexual assaults while I served in the U.S. Navy in Alaska. Some of the people who attacked me were my commanding officers, making it nearly impossible for me to report the crimes without fear of them hurting me again, or worse.
The media were interested in my story, and they started interviewing me at 6:20 a.m.!1But my first meeting was at the office of Senator Mitch McConnell, my senator. Sen. McConnell isn't on the record supporting my cause, and he didn't accept my request for a meeting last week while he was in Kentucky for the Senate's Memorial Day recess. But at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, I went to his D.C. office.
I was nervous—they made me wait for 20 minutes—but then they apologized and his staff person told me something that no one had ever heard before: Sen. McConnell had heard my story, seen my campaign, and supports removing military sexual assault prosecutions from the chain of command. That's a huge deal.
I then met with Representative Jackie Speier, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Senator Lisa Murkowski's staff, all of whom agreed that we need to change how we prosecute these crimes in the military. I met with Sen. Gillibrand right after she finished grilling the leaders of the military at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on sexual assault about how they've "lost the trust of the men and women who rely on you, that you will actually bring justice in these cases."
I left Sen. Gillibrand to do an interview with ABC News about my experience delivering my petitions and my opinions on the hearing that was happening right behind me. As I spoke, I turned and saw the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other military leaders—who had just got finished defending the status quo that enables thousands of military sexual assaults every year3—fill the hallways and stand close enough to hear my story and my call for change. They didn't speak to me, but they could no longer keep me quiet either.
I had to catch my breath after that, before dashing off to do a video interview with theWashington Post and grab lunch.4 I finished the day with a final Hill meeting with Representative Niki Tsongas, who's also fighting hard to change the system.
My last stop of the day was a CNN appearance with Jake Tapper, which I almost missed because of crazy D.C. traffic.5 But I made it, and Jake asked me to tell my story on live television to his viewers, and then he promised to personally help me and other survivors get justice.
I'm back home now and trying to get some rest after my 48-hour whirlwind trip. But I left Washington energized to keep fighting for justice. I need your help to get every U.S. senator to co-sponsor legislation to remove military sexual assault prosecutions from the chain of command. Please call Senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss right now and get them on board.
It took a long time for me to become able to tell my story and push hard for this change. I hope that everyone, including other survivors, will come forward and speak out so that our servicemen and servicewomen can serve without fear of being attacked by their brethren.
Thanks for all you do,
–Trina McDonald
Senator Claire McCaskill
Published on May 23, 2013
Today, U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine.) and U.S. Representatives Mike Turner (R-Ohio) and Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to combat sexual assaults in the military by better holding perpetrators accountable and better protecting survivors. The updated version of the group's legislation includes additional provisions to protect and enhance the rights of victims. The lawmakers are working to include the legislation in this year's National Defense Authorization Act.
published on March 13, 2013
Clip from Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing. Sexual Assault in the Military.
Video of Senator Claire McCaskill today used a
During a hearing Wednesday before the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, Senators criticized the military’s handling of sexual assault cases, and called for serious reforms of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The Senators heard testimony from sexual assault survivors and advocates, and grilled military leadership on the fairness of the current system, which gives commanders the authority to dismiss jury verdicts and overturn sentences after a courts martial.
Following the hearing, Senator McCaskill announced that she will be introducing legislation to limit the power of commanders. “Giving military commanders with no legal experience the ability to completely nullify a jury’s verdict without even requiring justification is against everything that we believe about justice in this country,” said Senator McCaskill, a former prosecutor.
Senator McCaskill’s move after the testimony of military sexual assault survivors during the hearing comes in response to a recent case at Aviano Air Base in Italy, where a Lieutenant Colonel who was convicted of aggravated sexual assault and sentenced to a year in prison had his sentence overturned by a Lieutenant General without explanation.
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has responded to the outcry over Franklin’s actions by calling for a review of the UCMJ provisions that give commanders to override a court martial.
Media Resources: LA Times 3/13/2013; STL Beacon 3/13/2013; Huffington Post 3/12/2013; Feminist Newswire 3/13/2013, 3/6/2013
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
March 13, 2013
Clip from Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing. Sexual Assault in the Military.
Video of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand dressing down military officials over the number of sexual assaults and rapes in the military and the provisions currently in place to investigate and prosecute such incidents.
"I appreciate the work that you are doing, I honestly do. But it's not enough," she said during the hearing last week. "And if you think you are achieving discipline and order with your current convening authority framework, I am sorry to say you are wrong."
To underscore her point, Gillibrand asked a case where Air Force Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin overturned a sexual assault conviction that had been reached by a military trial.
"Was justice done in that case?" Gilibrand asked the Air Force's Judge Advocate, Lieutenant General Harding.
He declined to say anyone did anything wrong.
The issue of sexual assaults and rapes in the military dovetails neatly with two issues Gillibrand has made a central part of profile in the Senate: rights and protections for working women and the welfare of military personnel and veterans.
The video has been viewed more than 70,000 times on YouTube.
ALERT: March 13, 2013
at 10:00am Armed Services Subcommittee Oversight is Holding Hearings on Military Sexual Assault & Trauma. Their will be 2 Panels. Panel 1 will be Survivors of "MST". Panel 2 will be Military Officials.
At Senate Military Sexual Assault Hearing, Top Military Members Will Hear Victims' Testimony
Top members of the military will hear testimony from victims of military sexual assault next Wednesday at the first Senate hearing to be held on the issue in a decade.
The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel will first hear from several survivors, before a second panel with a number of military experts and personnel takes place. Participants in the second panel will include Acting General Counsel of the Defense Department Robert S. Taylor and Maj. Gen. Gary S. Patton, director of the Pentagon's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. Patton is the top Defense official working to address the pervasive problem of military sexual assault, which is estimated to have claimed 19,000 victims in fiscal year 2011 -- more than 50 per day.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) announced the hearing, the first held by the Senate on military sexual assault in nearly a decade, shortly after being appointed chairwoman of the Senate subcommittee on Feb. 19. Details of the hearing were made public Wednesday.
“I am proud of these brave victims who are willing to tell their painful stories and have their voices heard in Congress," Gillibrand said in a statement to The Huffington Post. "We need to get to the bottom of how to prevent and better prosecute these terrible crimes and I am very pleased that so many members of our military brass will be participating in this hearing as we look for the right answers.”
A day before the announcement, senators pressed senior military leaders on the case of a commander in the Air Force who dismissed charges against James Wilkerson, a lieutenant colonel and inspector general who had been convicted of sexual assault. Wilkerson was sentenced in November to a year in military prison and dismissal, but on Feb. 26, Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin overturned the decision and reinstated Wilkerson in the military, according to the Air Force Times.
On Monday, Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), sent a letter to newly confirmed Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel calling for him to "immediately review" the case.
The Senate subcommittee hearing on March 13 follows criticism of a recent House Armed Services hearing on the sexual abuse scandal at Lackland Air Force Base.
Victims' advocates and members of Congress criticized the hearing after panelists Gen. Edward Rice, the Air Force commander for Air Education and Training Command, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh III left the room before victims had given their testimony, as did many members of the military. A report issued on the Lackland scandal also received criticism, because it did not interview any of the victims, a discrepancy the Air Force attributed to ongoing litigation.
"Our best, brightest and bravest join our armed services for all the right reasons –- to serve our country, protect our freedom, and keep America safe," Gillibrand said Wednesday. "But too often, our service members find themselves in the fight of their lives not in combat, but in their own ranks, among their own brothers and sisters in an environment that enables sexual assault, and tangled in red tape to get the help they need."
Aired January 30, 2013
Andrea Mitchell (NBC News) Interview with Kirby Dick, Oscar Nominated Director of ‘The Invisible War’. It reveals broken military policy. Filmmaker Kirby Dick shares details from the documentary which takes a look at the sexual assaults against females serving in the military.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Jan. 27, 2013 Sunday - Interview by (CBS News) NEW YORK - Jennifer Norris told her story to the House Armed Services Committee last Wednesday, calling the "thousands and thousands of male and female survivors" victims of "the military's sexual assault epidemic."