Received this e-mail today from Senator Mark Warner (D. VA):
When Seaman Kori Cioca was violently sexually assaulted by one of her superiors in the Coast Guard, she was brave enough to report the crime. But she was immediately retaliated against, threatened, and ordered to sign a false statement that the rape was consensual.
Unfortunately, stories like Kori's are all too familiar. Last year, more than 26,000 members of the armed services were sexually assaulted -- but only just over 3,000 cases were actually reported.
And of the small percentage of cases reported, one in three of those survivors faced retaliation because of their courage to come forward -- ranging from physical reprisal to being court-martialed.
With staggering numbers like those, it couldn't be more clear that something must immediately be done to protect survivors of sexual assault in the military. I’ve sponsored legislation to do just that, and I’m asking for your help to make it law.
Will you join me and become a citizen co-sponsor of the Military Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2013? Add your name now:
http://action.forwardtogetherpac.com/...
I introduced this legislation with one simple objective in mind: to take common-sense steps to decrease the incredibly high rate of sexual assault in the military and to make it easier, and less dangerous, for survivors to come forward.
This legislation ensures that those who report sexual assault will be protected from retribution, extends the 60-day window for survivors to come forward, and guarantees that action will be taken against those who retaliate against survivors of assault.
These steps will go a long way in making our armed services safer for people who put their lives on the line every day to protect our country. But this legislation won't pass unless all of us do our part.
Every member of Congress needs to see that this bill has overwhelming support across the country -- and that we won't rest until this legislation is signed into law.
Make your voice heard and become a citizen co-sponsor now:
http://action.forwardtogetherpac.com/...
Thanks for standing up,
Mark Warner
You can click here to sign Warner's petition:
http://action.forwardtogetherpac.com/...