WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – In a letter to Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) – joined by U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) –on Wednesday, April 30, urged the committee to honor President Obama’s request for $11 million to fund the Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Grant Program as the committee prepares FY2015 spending bills.
“The report released by the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault that offers clarification from the U.S. Department of Education on schools’ responsibilities under Title IX is an important step towards an appropriate federal response to this issue. However, as institutions are asked to respond to these recommendations, it is imperative that they have adequate resources to change administrative policies and improve enforcement efforts.
“We ask that you provide $11 million in funding for the Campus grant program so that the DOJ can assist as many schools as possible, including new grant applicants, in the nationwide effort to combat sexual assault on campuses.”
Blumenthal has been a leader on efforts to combat sexual assault on college campuses. After the President announced his Task Force To Protect Students From Sexual Assault, Blumenthal hosted seven roundtables at colleges and universities across Connecticut to hear from students, administrators, rape counselors, medical personnel and parents. Blumenthal will release the findings from those roundtables in the days ahead.
In another action to curb sexual violence, Blumenthal issued the following statement in support of a lawsuit filed on Wednesday by the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) and Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regarding discriminatory disability claim review processes for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress related to military sexual trauma. SWAN and the VVA are represented by the Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic.
“Military sexual assault is a pernicious and pervasive problem, and it is inexcusable that the brave men and women who have survived such trauma be victimized again by ineffective and discriminatory claims review processes. I applaud the Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic, Service Women’s Action Network and Vietnam Veterans of America for their leadership in ensuring that all victims of military rape, harassment and assault suffering from post-traumatic stress receive the support and services they need and deserve.
“This legal action will serve as a powerful counterpart to legislative efforts repeatedly blocked in the Senate I am leading to improve the provision of medical benefits and services to veterans, including victims of military sexual trauma,” Blumenthal said.
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Preceding provided by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal
This Senator needs to look into the San Diego Police sexual assualt unit and how they ignore military rapes! California as a whole seems to not want do deal with rape victims but San Diego with all the marines and navy have ignored rape victims of these groups for years!
www theusmarinesrape com