By now, I'm sure you've heard about this:
http://www.npr.org/...
The officer in charge of the sexual assault prevention and response branch for the Air Force was arrested and charged with sexual battery over the weekend.
According to an Arlington (Va.) County Police Department incident report, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Krusinski, 41, was arrested when he allegedly drunkenly "approached a female victim in a parking lot and grabbed her breasts and buttocks."
"The victim fought the suspect off as he attempted to touch her again and alerted police," the report read.
NPR's Tom Bowman reports that Air Force spokeswoman Lt. Col. Laurel Tingley says Krusinski "was immediately removed from his position when the Air Force received word today." - NPR, 5/6/13
Well i received this e-mail today from Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D. NH) who is calling for action:
Enough is enough.
Over the weekend, the officer in charge of the Air Force’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program was arrested for sexual battery.
That wasn’t an isolated incident. A new report shows that, last year alone, more than 26,000 service members in the military were the victims of sexual assault. The broken, unaccountable culture that allows sexual assaults to pervade our military needs to be fixed.
For too long, victims have had nowhere to turn and sexual assault convictions were arbitrarily overturned. Now, we find that the officer in charge of overseeing justice is himself victimizing women.
I've repeatedly called to reform out military justice system to prevent assaults and hold offenders accountable. But I need you to add your voice. This has to stop.
Tell Congress: It’s time to reform our military justice system to stop sexual assaults. It can’t wait any longer.
http://www.democratsenators.org/...
Of the estimated 19,000 sexual assaults in the military last year, only about 300 made it to trial.
When the people in power are overturning convictions and themselves are part of the unsafe, out-of-control culture of military sexual assaults, it’s easy to see why justice isn’t being served.
Stand with me in helping change the culture that allows criminals to go free and victims to suffer.
Victims and the brave men and women who serve us – who shouldn’t have to worry for their safety while they’re on their base – are counting on us.
Demand Congress reform our military justice system immediately.
http://www.democratsenators.org/...
Thanks for speaking out,
Jeanne
You can sign Shaheen's petition here:
http://www.democratsenators.org/...