SENATE SUPPORTS MEASURE TO STRENGTHEN MAINE LAWS ON MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT

Bill sponsored by Senator Valentino directs Adjutant General to conduct an assessment of the Maine Code of Military Justice

AUGUSTA-– Earlier today, the Senate approved a measure to address military sexual assault. This vote comes the day after the U.S. House of Representatives passed The Ruth Moore Act, the first major piece of legislation addressing sexual assault in the military to pass during this Congress.

“This resolution and similar measures at the federal level and in states across the country are long overdue,” said Senator Linda Valentino of Saco the sponsor of the bill. “This is the first step in ensuring Maine is doing everything it can to protect servicemen and women in our state.”  

The resolve directs the Adjutant General of Maine to conduct an assessment of Maine’s Military Code of Criminal Justice, and other associated Maine laws, to ensure these laws are comparable to federal laws for adequate investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of sexual assault by members of the Maine National Guard, and appropriate treatment of Maine National Guard members who are survivors of sexual assault.

“Secretary Panetta officially declared sexual assault and rape a systemic epidemic that has been tolerated, ignored, and condoned for decades,” said Retired Lt. Col. Terry Moore, who testified in support of the resolution. “It’s safe to say that the cliché term zero tolerance holds no meaning, public trust, or confidence because victims who report continue to experience reprisal and retaliation and the military institution has been reluctant to make justice system reform.”

A 2012 U.S. Department of Defense report on sexual trauma in the military found that there is a rate of three sexual assaults per hour in the military. Although there was a 35% increase in the reporting of sexual assault and related sexual offenses in the past two years, underreporting of sexual assault is exacerbated in the military where the DoD estimates that fewer than 15% of survivors reported their assaults in 2010.

“We may never be able to eliminate military sexual violence,” said Senator Valentino. “But this marks the beginning of guaranteed voice and justice for each victim.”

The resolve, LD 1504, Resolve, Directing the Adjutant General of the State To Ensure the Maine Code of Military Justice Addresses Sexual Trauma in the Military, faces more votes in the House and Senate.

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